Aged Garlic Extract Improves Adiponectin Levels in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Crossover Study

Abstract

Background. Garlic (Allium sativum) has been shown to have important benefits in individuals at high cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the administration of aged garlic extract (AGE) on the risk factors that constitute the cluster of metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods and Design. Double-blind, crossover, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of 1.2 g/day of AGE (Kyolic), for 24 weeks of treatment (12 weeks of AGE and 12 weeks of placebo), on subjects with MS. Results. The administration of AGE increased the plasma levels of adiponectin (P = 0.027). No serious side effects associated with the intervention were reported. Conclusion. The present results have shown for the first time that the administration of AGE for 12 weeks increased plasma adiponectin levels in patients with MS. This suggests that AGE might be a useful, novel, nonpharmacological therapeutic intervention to increase adiponectin and to prevent cardiovascular (CV) complications in individuals with MS.

The role of leptin/adiponectin ratio in metabolic syndrome and diabetes

“…While it is difficult to establish consistent regional differences (Table 1), there appears to be considerable differences between developed and developing countries within the same region. In Latin America, a Brazilian study reported adiponectin values of 7.11 µg/mL [70], and we observed levels of 5.93 µg/mL in Colombia [64], but in Australian women with MetS, the values were 13.7 µg/mL [71], while in Indonesian MetS women, the values were much lower, 4.9 µg/mL [72]. Moreover, important differences between genders were found: women showing higher levels of adiponectin than men when compared within the same country.…”

“…Caloric restriction has also been shown to increase adiponectin levels and, in turn, confer resistance to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury [63]. Recently, a novel nonpharmacological therapeutic intervention, aged garlic extract, was found to increase adiponectin levels in individuals with MetS [64]. However, additional studies are needed to evaluate the potential benefits of increasing adiponectin in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.…”

To study the anti-hypertensive and lipid-lowering effects of garlic as add-on therapy to amlodipine in patients of hypertension with obesity

“…26 Gómez-Arbeláez et al in their crossover, placebocontrolled clinical trial to assess the effect of 1.2 g/day of AGE for 24 weeks of treatment (12 weeks of AGE and 12 weeks of placebo), observed that AGE significantly increased (p<0.05) the levels of adiponectin associated with abdominal obesity in patients of metabolic syndrome. 33 However their study showed non-significant reduction (p>0.05) in body mass index by the end of the study. 33 AGE accomplishes weight loss by interplay of many factors involving modulation of action of fat-producing genes and thermogenesis.…”

Adiponectin and Metabolic Syndrome Prevention

“…Other than changing the life style and increasing the physical activity, the researchers are interested in using plant products or herbals that increase APN level. An interesting study is a clinical trial conducted by Gomez-Arbelaez et al on patients with MetS (12). Results of this study indicated that using of aged garlic extract improves APN levels in those with MetS (12).…”

“…An interesting study is a clinical trial conducted by Gomez-Arbelaez et al on patients with MetS (12). Results of this study indicated that using of aged garlic extract improves APN levels in those with MetS (12). Although garlic is commonly used in different countries, its pungent odor makes it unfavorable for most people.…”