Application of flow cytometry to evaluate the effect of aged garlic extract on intracelluar glutathione levels of platelets / by Ripple Shaberg Sandhu.

Author/creator Sandhu, Ripple Shabeg author.
Other author Steiner, Manfred, degree supervisor.
Other author East Carolina University. Department of Biology.
Format Theses and dissertations
Production2000.
Descriptionxi, 48 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm
Supplemental ContentAccess via ScholarShip
Subjects

Summary Garlic and some of its organosulfur components have been found to be of importance in the prevention and control of occlusive cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and thromboembolisms. Of the cardiovascular risk factors that have been shown to be inhibited by the administration of garlic preparations is platelet aggregation (Steiner and Lin, 1998). However, demonstration of their effectiveness in vivo, especially when administered over an extended period, is sparse. The present study was initiated to evaluate the effects of aged garlic extract (AGE) to understand the mechanism of action of AGE and its components for their therapeutic effectiveness. It has been shown in vitro that GSH has an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation. This study was undertaken to investigate this observation in humans while taking an AGE supplement. The data of the 10 month ex vivo study involving 20 human subjects, shows a significantly higher levels of intracellular GSH in the group that was administered AGE as compared to the control group taking a placebo. However, the elevated levels of GSH were reduced to the baseline value of the placebo group after the supplementation period of 30 weeks was over. Using flow cytometry with the GSH-specific probe, monobromobimane (mBBr), this technique afforded the advantage of obtaining measurements based upon individual cells and the utilization of relatively smaller quantities of blood as compared to other techniques for the quantification of GSH. It is proposed that the therapeutic effects of the organosulfur compounds in garlic are mediated by an increase in platelet GSH. Continued ingestion of AGE is required to maintain elevated levels of intracellular GSH for the potentially beneficial cardiovascular effects.
General noteSubmitted to the faculty of the Department of Biology.
General noteAdvisor: Manfred Steiner
Dissertation noteM.S. East Carolina University 2000
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 45-48).
Genre/formAcademic theses.
Genre/formAcademic theses.
Genre/formThèses et écrits académiques.

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