Reno-protective effects of fresh garlic against high fat diet induced damage

Background: Hyperlipidemia remains one of most challenging clinical problems. Garlic used to lower serum lipids in hyperlipidemia patients. The present experimental study evaluate garlic role as reno-protective against high fat diet (HFD) induced changes in rat’s kidney. Methods: Twenty four adult albino rats were used and sorted into 4 groups. Group 1 (Control): fed normal lab diet. Group 2 (HFD): fed 6% highly saturated fat diet. Group 3 (GJ): received 20% of fresh crushed garlic per diet for 8 weeks. Group 4 (HFD+GJ): received 20% fresh crushed garlic with 6% highly saturated fat diet. Lipid profiles and kidney function tests were evaluated in the serum and kidneys were examined histologically. Results: Serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen were higher; while total proteins and albumin were lower in HFD versus control, GJ, HFD+GJ groups. HFD resulted in degenerative changes of Bowman’s corpuscles and glomerular capillaries atrophy, renal tubules vacuolation that were ameliorated by garlic intake. Conclusions: Oral fresh garlic administration for 8 weeks with HFD group led to improvement of lipid profile, kidney functions and structure. Consumption of garlic juice could work as supplement and advised for protecting kidneys in hyperlipidemic patients.