Aged Garlic Extract Study

The primary intention of the study is to examine the effect of aged garlic extract (AGE) on the absolute change in coronary artery calcium (CAC). The second intention is to examine the effect of AGE on inflammatory biomarkers and microcirculation. It is a double blind placebo controlled study. The participants will ingest AGE during a period of one year. The CAC will be controlled by computer tomography (CT) scan; the inflammatory biomarkers through blood sample test and the microcirculation through laser speckel imagining and laser doppler before and after the one year period of AGE ingestion.

Objectives:

Effect on coronary artery atherosclerosis / the progression of atherosclerosis Effect on inflammatory and oxidation biomarkers Cholesterol lowering effect Effect on microcirculation

Type of study:

Randomized double blind controlled trial

Number of patients: 80 patients

Duration of the study:

The patients will be studied for one year after they have entered the study. The total time of the study duration from the including date of the first patient to the analysis of the last patient entering the study estimated to be 2-3 years. An inclusion rate off 1 to 2 patients per week.

Treatment:

Dose: Treated with a placebo capsule or a capsule containing a total of AGE 2400 mg daily for 1 year (2 Kyolic capsule (600 mg) twice daily).

Methods:

Placebo-controlled double blind randomized trial to determine whether AGE can influence the rate of atherosclerosis plaque burden measured by coronary artery calcium, improve vascular function and microcirculation and favorably change biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Randomization:

The participants are assigned to AGE or placebo in a double-blinded manner, using numbered containers assigned to a computer-generated randomization chart by a nurse coordinator.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* CAC score \>10
* Framingham risk score (10 % or above)
* Subjects are required to be on stable concomitant medications for at least 12 weeks prior to randomization
* Subjects with diabetic must have HbA1C \< 8.0, and stable HbA1C level variation range within 0.5% for three months.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Hypersensitivity to AGE therapy,
* Unstable medical, psychiatric, or substance abuse disorder that may interfere with continuation in the study,
* Weight ≥325 pounds,
* Bleeding disorder,
* History of myocardial infarction,
* Stroke
* Life-threatening arrhythmia within prior 6 months,
* Resting hypotension (systolic \< 90 mmHg) or hypertension (resting blood pressure \>170/110)
* Heart failure NYHA class III or IV,
* History of malignancy within the last 5 years (other than skin cancer) or evidence of active cancer which would require concomitant cancer chemotherapy
* Serum creatinine \>1.4 mg/dl
* Triglycerides \> 400 at baseline visit
* Diabetic subjects with HbA1C \> 8 %,
* Drug or alcohol abuse
* Conditions interfering with accurate assessment of coronary calcification (metal clips, bypass patients, intracoronary stents) and drug absorption (partial ileal bypass or malabsorption syndrome).
* Current use of anticoagulants (except for antiplatelet agents)
* Chronic renal failure
* Liver failure
* Hematological or biochemical values at baseline visit outside the reference ranges considered as clinically significant.