Effect of Encapsulated Purple Garlic Oil on Microvascular Function and the Components of Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study-The ENDOTALLIUM Study.

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is associated with progressive changes contributing to clinical complications related to macro- and microvascular diseases. Garlic (Allium sativum L.) and its organosulfur components have been related to beneficial cardiovascular effects and could improve endothelial function. The ENDOTALLIUM Study aimed to evaluate the effect of the regular consumption of encapsulated purple garlic oil on microvascular function, endothelial-related biomarkers, and the components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in untreated subjects with cardiometabolic alterations. Fifty-two individuals with at least one MetS component were randomized (1:1) in a single-center, single-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. The participants received encapsulated purple garlic oil (n = 27) or placebo (n = 25) for five weeks. Skin microvascular peak flow during post-occlusive reactive hyperemia significantly increased in the purple garlic oil group compared to the placebo group (between-group difference [95%CI]: 15.4 [1.5 to 29.4] PU; p = 0.031). Likewise, hs-CRP levels decreased in the purple garlic group compared to the control group (-1.3 [-2.5 to -0.0] mg/L; p = 0.049). Furthermore, we observed a significant reduction in the mean number of MetS components in the purple garlic group after five weeks (1.7 ± 0.9 vs. 1.3 ± 1.1, p = 0.021). In summary, regular consumption of encapsulated purple garlic oil significantly improved microvascular function, subclinical inflammatory status, and the overall MetS profile in a population with cardiometabolic alterations.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum: case report with arterial stiffness evaluated by a research cardiovascular profiling system.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is an inherited systemic disorder characterized by calcification of elastic tissue, affecting the skin, the eyes and vascular system. The aim of our study was to specify the cardiovascular changes in a case of pseudoxanthoma elasticum by a non-invasive haemodynamic evaluation. We present a 50-year-old woman with a clinical diagnosis of pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Except for hypertension, treated over the past four years, there was no other modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. The patient had a familiar history of early cardiovascular death. In the physical examination, typical skin lesions were present and also an angioid streak of the retina. The patient and a control group were evaluated by the CR-2000 Research Cardiovascular Profiling System. A lower elasticity in large arteries (p = 0.006), a higher cardiac output (p = 0.006) and a higher total vascular impedance (p = 0.006) were observed with respect to the control group. There was no difference comparing this value with an elderly control group. We suggest that patients with PXE present vascular changes comparable with elderly patients and that these differences can not be explained by hypertension.