Abstract
There is extensive information of the beneficial effects of virgin olive oil (VOO), especially on cardiovascular diseases. Some VOO healthy properties have been attributed to their phenolic-compounds (PCs). The aim of this review is to present updated data on the effects of olive oil (OO) PCs on the gut microbiota, lipid metabolism, immune system, and obesity, as well as on the crosstalk among them. We summarize experiments and clinical trials which assessed the specific effects of the olive oil phenolic-compounds (OOPCs) without the synergy with OO-fats. Several studies have demonstrated that OOPC consumption increases Bacteroidetes and/or reduces the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, which have both been related to atheroprotection. OOPCs also increase certain beneficial bacteria and gut-bacteria diversity which can be therapeutic for lipid-immune disorders and obesity. Furthermore, some of the mechanisms implicated in the crosstalk between OOPCs and these disorders include antimicrobial-activity, cholesterol microbial metabolism, and metabolites produced by bacteria. Specifically, OOPCs modulate short-chain fatty-acids produced by gut-microbiota, which can affect cholesterol metabolism and the immune system, and may play a role in weight gain through promoting satiety. Since data in humans are scarce, there is a necessity for more clinical trials designed to assess the specific role of the OOPCs in this crosstalk.
Highlights
The Mediterranean diet has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes [1]
Strong evidence suggesting a link between olive oil phenolic-compounds (OOPCs), the gut microbiota, and their derived metabolites exists
Many studies have been performed in vitro using faecal slurries or cultured bacteria, evidence suggests that OOPCs modulate microbial composition and metabolism and increase the diversity of the gut bacterial communities producing beneficial effects
Summary
The Mediterranean diet has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes [1]. OOPCs enhance the expression of cholesterol-efflux related genes in circulating white blood cells of pre-/hypertensive patients [7] and improve endothelial function and HDL characteristics in hypercholesterolemic patients [8,9] These lipid profile improvements after VOO consumption could contribute to the cardioprotective properties observed in the Mediterranean diet. Gut microbial-derived metabolites may play a key role in immune homeostasis and host susceptibility to immune-mediated pathologies and alterations [25].For example, short chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced from the diet are important modulators of the immune system and may play a role in weight loss in obesity through promoting satiety [26] Another example is the microbial-host cometabolite trymethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) which affects lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis [27]. The aim of this review is to present up-to-date information on the OOPC’s effects on gut microbiome, lipid metabolism, immune system, and obesity, as well as the crosstalk among them
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