Successful improved peripheral tissue perfusion was seen in patients with atherosclerosis after 12 months of treatment with aged garlic extract

Abstract

Patients with arteriolosclerosis have impaired microvascular perfusion leading to impaired wound healing. Aged garlic extract has shown to have a positive impact on vascular elasticity. The present study aimed to assess the effect of long-term treatment with AGE on peripheral tissue perfusion in patients with confirmed atherosclerosis. Ninety three patients with a CT-scan confirmed coronary artery arteriolosclerosis were randomised in a double-blind manner to placebo or 2400 mg AGE daily for 1 year. Peripheral tissue perfusion was evaluated at 0- and 12-months using Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging. Measurement of post occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) using acetylcholine iontophoresis (Ach) was conducted. After 12 months a significant increase of 21.6% (95% CI 3.2%-40.0%, P