Aged Garlic Extract Reduces IL-6: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial in Females with a Low Risk of Cardiovascular Disease.

Martiné Wlosinska,Joanna Hlebowicz,Ann-Christin Nilsson,Sandra Lindstedt,Malin Malmsjö,Mohammed Fakhro,Muhammad Nabeel Ghayur

doi:10.1155/2021/6636875

Abstract

Background Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether a daily supplementation of aged garlic extract (AGE) could reduce inflammation in females with low risk for cardiovascular disease. The study was conducted at a single center, as a parallel randomized placebo-controlled trial. Method 63 females with a Framingham risk score over 10 underwent cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan. Of those, patients with a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores less than 5 (n = 31) met the inclusion criteria and were randomized, in a double-blind manner to an intake of placebo or AGE (2400 mg daily) for 1 year. Results Main outcome measure was changes in inflammatory biomarkers, blood pressure, fastening blood glucose, and blood lipids. A total of 29 patients (14 in the AGE group and 15 in the placebo group) completed the study and were analyzed. Females treated with AGE showed lower levels of inflammatory marker IL-6 after 12 months of treatment compared to females receiving placebo (p < 0.05). The blood lipids had a trend towards a lowering effect in females treated with AGE; however, this trend was not significant. Conclusion The present study concludes that AGE lowers IL-6 in females with a risk profile of cardiovascular disease. We could also conclude that risk prediction with cardiac CT scan turned out to be superior in estimating the risk of cardiac disease compared to Framingham risk score. This trial is registered with NCT03860350.

Highlights

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide [1]
Framingham risk score was used to predict the risk for CVD
There were no significant differences in cardiovascular risk factors calculated using the Framingham risk score. e majority of the patients in the study were taking medications for hypertension and had family history of CVD when they entered the study. ere was a significant difference in hypercholesterolaemia between the two groups when entering the study

Summary

Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide [1]. A commonly used scoring system for CVD in primary care is the Framingham risk scoring, which is a genderspecific algorithm used to estimate the 10-year cardiovascular risk of an individual. It was first developed based on data obtained from the Framingham Heart Study, to estimate the 10-year risk of developing ischemic heart disease (IHD) [3]. E aim of the study was to evaluate whether a daily supplementation of aged garlic extract (AGE) could reduce inflammation in females with low risk for cardiovascular disease. E present study concludes that AGE lowers IL-6 in females with a risk profile of cardiovascular disease. We could conclude that risk prediction with cardiac CT scan turned out to be superior in estimating the risk of cardiac disease compared to Framingham risk score. is trial is registered with NCT03860350

Results

Discussion

Conclusion