Effects of Allicin on Hypertension and Cardiac Function in Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

This work was performed to study the effect of allicin on hypertension and cardiac function in a rat model of CKD. The groups were control, CKD (5/6 nephrectomy), and CKD-allicin treated (CKDA) (40 mg/kg day/p.o.). Blood pressure was monitored (weekly/6 weeks). The cardiac function, vascular response to angiotensin II, oxidative stress, and heart morphometric parameters were determined. The CKD group showed hypertension and proteinuria. The coronary perfusion and left ventricular pressures were decreased in CKD group. In contrast, the vascular response to angiotensin II and expression of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) were increased. These data were associated with the increment in morphometric parameters (weight of heart and left ventricle, heart/BW and left ventricular mass index, and wall thickness). Concurrently, the oxidative stress was increased and correlated inversely with the expression of Nrf2, Keap1, and antioxidant enzymes Nrf2-regulated. Allicin treatment attenuated hypertension and improved the renal and the cardiac dysfunctions; furthermore, it decreased the vascular reactivity to angiotensin II, AT1R overexpression, and preserved morphometric parameters. Allicin also downregulated Keap1 and increased Nrf2 expression, upregulated the antioxidant enzymes, and reduced oxidative stress. In conclusion, allicin showed an antihypertensive, nephroprotective, cardioprotective, and antioxidant effects, likely through downregulation of AT1R and Keap1 expression.

Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Chronic Kidney Disease—Potential Therapeutic Role of Minerals, Vitamins and Plant-Derived Metabolites

“…This heart-protective effect has also been shown in a rat model of CKD. Protective activity at the kidney level, in addition to the reduction of CKD-mediated systemic hypertension, appears to be due to the antioxidative effect of allicin [167]. In fact, allicin has been shown to improve renal function by modulation of AT1, Nrf2/Keap1 and eNOS pathways.…”

“…By increasing the nuclear translocation of the Nrf2 factor, allicin also increases the gene transcription of Nrf2-related enzymes, such as CAT, SOD and GPx, which play a key role in the cellular mechanisms defending against oxidative damage. During CKD, allicin has been shown to improve the biochemical markers of renal dysfunction, such as creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, diuresis and proteinuria [167].…”

“…In particular, EGCG is able to enhance the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and to increase GSH-Px expression. This activity is combined with its ability to inhibit p65 NF-κB translocation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation through inhibition of caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 [167]. EGCG has also improved the biochemical markers of renal dysfunction, such as proteinuria and serum creatinine.…”

Protective Effects of Allicin on ISO-Induced Rat Model of Myocardial Infarction via JNK Signaling Pathway

“…Allicin, the most abundant organosulfur compound in freshly crushed garlic tissues, has been shown to have various health-promoting effects, including anticancer actions [17]. Recent studies suggested that allicin may play a role in CKD, reducing hypertension and oxidative stress, and improving renal dysfunction [18][19][20]. In this study, the effect of allicin on myocardial infarction was evaluated by establishing a rat model.…”

The Beneficial Effects of Allicin in Chronic Kidney Disease Are Comparable to Losartan

“…CKD places the patient into the highest cardiovascular risk level, irrespective of traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factor stratification. In this regard, we recently reported that allicin treatment in rats with subtotal nephrectomy improves cardiac function and ameliorates oxidative stress and hypertension [ 18 ], supporting the hypothesis that allicin could be important as a complementary and/or alternative therapy to reduce the progression of CKD and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.…”