The antiatherogenic effect of allicin: possible mode of action.

Objective: Garlic (Allium sativum) has been suggested to affect several cardiovascular risk factors. Its antiatherosclerotic properties are mainly attributed to allicin that is produced upon crushing of the garlic clove. Most previous studies used various garlic preparations in which allicin levels were not well defined.

9-cis beta-carotene-rich powder of the alga Dunaliella bardawil increases plasma HDL-cholesterol in fibrate-treated patients.

The effect of fibrates on high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels is suggested to be mediated by its binding to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha). Upon ligand binding, PPARalpha heterodimerizes with the 9-cis retinoic acid receptor (RXR) and it is this heterodimer which regulates gene expression. We assessed the hypothesis that a combined treatment with fibrate plus 9-cis beta-carotene-rich powder of the alga Dunaliella bardawil, as a source of 9-cis retinoic acid, would improve the drug's effect on HDL-cholesterol levels.