Effects Of Virgin Olive Oil Research Articles

Anti-inflammatory effect of virgin olive oil in stable coronary disease patients: a randomized, crossover, controlled trial

To assess the effect of two similar olive oils, but with differences in their phenolic compounds (powerful antioxidant compounds), on inflammatory markers in stable coronary heart disease patients. Placebo-controlled, crossover, randomized trial. Cardiology Department of Hospital del Mar and Institut Municipal d'Investigació Mèdica (Barcelona). Twenty-eight stable coronary heart disease patients. A raw daily dose of 50 ml of virgin and refined olive oil (ROO) was sequentially administered over two periods of 3-weeks, preceded by 2-week washout periods in which ROO was used. Interleukin-6 (P<0.002) and C-reactive protein (P=0.024) decreased after virgin olive oil intervention. No changes were observed in soluble intercellular and vascular adhesion molecules, glucose and lipid profile. Consumption of virgin olive oil, could provide beneficial effects in stable coronary heart disease patients as an additional intervention to the pharmacological treatment.

International conference on the healthy effect of virgin olive oil

1. Ageing represents a great concern in developed countries because the number of people involved and the pathologies related with it, like atherosclerosis, morbus Parkinson, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, cognitive decline, diabetes and cancer. 2. Epidemiological studies suggest that a Mediterranean diet (which is rich in virgin olive oil) decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease. 3. The Mediterranean diet, rich in virgin olive oil, improves the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as the lipoprotein profile, blood pressure, glucose metabolism and antithrombotic profile. Endothelial function, inflammation and oxidative stress are also positively modulated. Some of these effects are attributed to minor components of virgin olive oil. Therefore, the definition of the Mediterranean diet should include virgin olive oil. 4. Different observational studies conducted in humans have shown that the intake of monounsaturated fat may be protective against age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. 5. Microconstituents from virgin olive oil are bioavailable in humans and have shown antioxidant properties and capacity to improve endothelial function. Furthermore they are also able to modify the haemostasis, showing antithrombotic properties. 6. In countries where the populations fulfilled a typical Mediterranean diet, such as Spain, Greece and Italy, where virgin olive oil is the principal source of fat, cancer incidence rates are lower than in northern European countries. 7. The protective effect of virgin olive oil can be most important in the first decades of life, which suggests that the dietetic benefit of virgin olive oil intake should be initiated before puberty, and maintained through life. 8. The more recent studies consistently support that the Mediterranean diet, based in virgin olive oil, is compatible with a healthier ageing and increased longevity. However, despite the significant advances of the recent years, the final proof about the specific mechanisms and contributing role of the different components of virgin olive oil to its beneficial effects requires further investigations.

Antioxidant effect of virgin olive oil in patients with stable coronary heart disease: a randomized, crossover, controlled, clinical trial

The Mediterranean diet, in which olive oil is the main source of fat, has been associated with a reduced incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and low blood pressure levels. Virgin olive oil (VOO), besides containing monounsaturated fat, is rich in phenolic compounds (PC) with antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to examine the antioxidant and anti-hypertensive effect of two similar olive oils, but with differences in their PC (refined: 14.7 mg/kg versus virgin: 161.0 mg/kg), in 40 males with stable CHD. The study was a placebo controlled, crossover, randomized trial. A raw daily dose of 50 mL of VOO and refined olive oil (ROO) were sequentially administered over two periods of 3 weeks, preceded by 2-week washout periods in which ROO was used. Lower plasma oxidized LDL ( p < 0.001) and lipid peroxide levels ( p = 0.003), together with higher activities of glutathione peroxidase ( p = 0.033), were observed after VOO intervention. Systolic blood pressure decreased after intake of VOO ( p = 0.001) in hypertensive patients. No changes were observed in diastolic blood pressure, glucose, lipids, and antibodies against oxidized LDL. Consumption of VOO, rich in PC, could provide beneficial effects in CHD patients as an additional and complementary intervention to the pharmacological treatment.

Dietary virgin olive oil triacylglycerols as an independent determinant of very low-density lipoprotein composition*1

We examined the effects of virgin olive oil (VOO) triacylglycerols (TGs) on the lipid composition of human very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Twenty-one normocholesterolemic, normotensive, non-diabetic elderly subjects were recruited for the study. Two VOOs (VOO1 and VOO2) of the same variety, with an equivalent composition in minor components and differing only in the oleic and linoleic acid concentrations, were administered for 4 wk each to assess the effect of their TG molecular species compositions. Blood was collected after an overnight fast, VLDLs were isolated by ultracentrifugation, and lipid classes, TG molecular species, and TG fatty acid composition were determined. Dietary VOOs significantly differed in TG molecular species composition. VOO1 represented larger amounts of triolein (P < 0.01), whereas VOO2 was significantly enriched with dilinoleoyl-oleoyl-glycerol, linoleoyl-dioleoyl-glycerol, and linoleoyl-oleoyl-palmitoyl-glycerol (P < 0.01). For VLDL, intake of VOO1 caused an increase of total TG (P < 0.01) due mainly to increases in triolein and linoleoyl-dioleoyl-glycerol. Conversely, VOO2 increased VLDL cholesteryl esters (P < 0.01) and TG rich in arachidonic acid (P < 0.01). The different TG molecular species compositions of dietary oils may be an independent determinant of the lipid composition of VLDL in elderly people and therefore may play a role in regulating lipoprotein metabolism in these subjects.

Dietary virgin olive oil triacylglycerols as an independent determinant of very low-density lipoprotein composition

Objective We examined the effects of virgin olive oil (VOO) triacylglycerols (TGs) on the lipid composition of human very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Methods Twenty-one normocholesterolemic, normotensive, non-diabetic elderly subjects were recruited for the study. Two VOOs (VOO1 and VOO2) of the same variety, with an equivalent composition in minor components and differing only in the oleic and linoleic acid concentrations, were administered for 4 wk each to assess the effect of their TG molecular species compositions. Blood was collected after an overnight fast, VLDLs were isolated by ultracentrifugation, and lipid classes, TG molecular species, and TG fatty acid composition were determined. Results Dietary VOOs significantly differed in TG molecular species composition. VOO1 represented larger amounts of triolein ( P < 0.01), whereas VOO2 was significantly enriched with dilinoleoyl-oleoyl-glycerol, linoleoyl-dioleoyl-glycerol, and linoleoyl-oleoyl-palmitoyl-glycerol ( P < 0.01). For VLDL, intake of VOO1 caused an increase of total TG ( P < 0.01) due mainly to increases in triolein and linoleoyl-dioleoyl-glycerol. Conversely, VOO2 increased VLDL cholesteryl esters ( P < 0.01) and TG rich in arachidonic acid ( P < 0.01). Conclusions The different TG molecular species compositions of dietary oils may be an independent determinant of the lipid composition of VLDL in elderly people and therefore may play a role in regulating lipoprotein metabolism in these subjects.

Influence of antioxidants in virgin olive oil on the formation of heterocyclic amines in fried beefburgers

An association between the intake of heterocyclic amines (HAs) and the development of cancer has been observed in some epidemiological studies, while in other studies no such correlation has been found. HAs are mutagenic/carcinogenic compounds formed at low levels via the Maillard reaction and a free radical mechanism during cooking of animal tissue. The addition of pure antioxidants or foods containing antioxidants has previously been shown to decrease the amount of HAs formed during cooking. In this study, beefburgers were fried in six different oils: refined olive oil, virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil depleted of phenols, rapeseed oil, virgin olive oil with rosemary extract and refined olive oil with rosemary extract. The content of antioxidative compounds in the virgin olive oil and the rosemary extract was determined. The beefburgers were analysed with regards to 12 different HAs by solid phase extraction and HPLC analysis. MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, PhIP, Harman and Norharman were detected in all beefburgers fried in the different oils, but the relative amounts varied. Frying in virgin olive oil reduced the formation of HAs compared with refined olive oil. This effect is probably due to the content of phenols in the virgin olive oil. The HA-reducing effect of virgin olive oil decreased during storage, but the addition of rosemary extract may prevent this decrease.

Distribution of fatty acids from dietary oils into phospholipid classes of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins in healthy subjects

Several studies have suggested that lipoprotein metabolism can be affected by lipoprotein phospholipid composition. We investigated the effect of virgin olive oil (VOO) and high-oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) intake on the distribution of fatty acids in triacylglycerols (TG), cholesteryl esters (CE) and phospholipid (PL) classes of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins (TRL) from normolipidemic males throughout a 7 h postprandial metabolism. Particularly, changes in oleic acid (18:1 n-9) concentration of PL were used as a marker of in vivo hydrolysis of TRL external monolayer. Both oils equally promoted the incorporation of oleic acid into the TG and CE of postprandial TRL. However, PL was enriched in oleic acid (18:1 n-9) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) after VOO meal, whereas in stearic (18:0) and linoleic (18:2 n-6) acids after HOSO meal. We also found that VOO produced TRL which PL 18:1 n-9 content was dramatically reduced along the postprandial period. We conclude that the fatty acid composition of PL can be a crucial determinant for the clearance of TRL during the postprandial metabolism of fats.

Effects of feeding virgin olive oil or their polyphenols on lipid of rat liver

The present study investigated the effects of virgin olive oil and their polyphenols on lipid content of liver, cholesterol metabolism related enzymes of liver microsome and fatty acid composition. Four groups of seven male rats were fed for 5 weeks diets with cholesterol (1%) supplemented with virgin olive oil with or without polyphenols or polyphenols extracted from virgin olive oil. Total cholesterol and phospholipid levels of liver tissu were not affected by either type of diet. However, triacylglycerol levels increased in both animals fed virgin olive oil with or without polyphenols. Furthermore, the activity of HMG-CoA reductase decreased significantly in liver microsome from polyphenols extract-fed group. Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase was significantly diminished in rats fed virgin olive oil with polyphenols compared to olive oil without polyphenols.

Characterization of Phenolic Compounds in Virgin Olive Oil and Their Effect on the Formation of Carcinogenic/Mutagenic Heterocyclic Amines in a Model System

Mutagenic heterocyclic amines (HAs) are formed at low levels during cooking of meat and fish, and some of them are considered to be possible human carcinogens. The formation of HAs may be affected by the presence of synthetic or naturally occurring antioxidants. In the present study the effect of virgin olive oil (VOO) phenolic compounds, identified and quantified by LC-MS, on the formation of HAs in a model system was evaluated. An aqueous solution of creatinine, glucose, and glycine was heated in the presence of two samples of VOO differing only in the composition of phenolic compounds. The addition of VOO to the model system inhibited the formation of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (IQx), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), and 2-amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (DiMeIQx) by between 30 and 50% compared with the control. Fresh-made olive oil, which contained a high amount of dihydroxyphenylethanol derivatives, inhibited HA formation more than a 1-year-old oil did. The inhibition of HA formation was also verified using phenolic compounds extracted from VOO.

Effect of minor components of virgin olive oil on topical antiinflammatory assays.

Interest in the health-promoting effects of virgin olive oil, an important part of the "Mediterranean diet", prompted us to determine the antiinflammatory effects of erythrodiol, beta-sitosterol and squalene, identified as major components of the so-called "unsaponifiable fraction" of virgin olive oil, as well as of the phenolic compounds from the "polar fraction": oleuropein, tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol and caffeic acid. Their activities were compared to those of both, total unsaponifiable and polar fractions. This study was designed to analyse the antiinflammatory effect of these specific compounds from virgin olive oil on edema in mice induced by either arachidonic acid (AA) or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA). The inhibition of the myeloperoxidase (MPO), marker enzyme of the accumulation of neutrophils in the inflamed tissue, was also investigated by the TPA model. The topical application of the olive oil compounds (0.5 mg/ear) produced a variable degree of antiinflammatory effect with both assays. In the auricular edema induced by TPA, beta-sitosterol and erythrodiol from the unsaponifiable fraction of the oil showed a potent antiedematous effect with a 61.4% and 82.1% of inhibition respectively, values not very different to that of the reference indomethacin (85.6%) at 0.5 mg/ear. The four phenolics exerted a similar range of inhibition (33-45%). All compounds strongly inhibited the enzyme myeloperoxidase, indicating a reduction of the neutrophil influx in the inflamed tissues. The strongest inhibitor of AA edema was the total unsaponifiable fraction which inhibition was 34%, similar to that obtained by the reference drug dexamethasone at 0.05 mg/ear. Among the phenolics, oleuropein also produced an inhibition of about 30% with the same dose, but all the other components were found less active in this assay. The anti-inflammatory effects exerted by both unsaponifiable and polar compounds might contribute to the potential biological properties reported for virgin olive oil against different pathological processes.

Are olive oil diets antithrombotic? Diets enriched with olive, rapeseed, or sunflower oil affect postprandial factor VII differently

The incidence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in Crete was lower than expected on the basis of blood lipid concentrations of participants in the Seven Countries Study. A favorable effect of a high intake of olive oil on thrombogenesis may have contributed to this finding. We compared the effects of virgin olive oil with those of rapeseed and sunflower oils on blood coagulation factor VII (FVII), a key factor in thrombogenesis. In a randomized and strictly controlled crossover study, 18 healthy young men consumed diets enriched with 5 g/MJ (19% of total energy) olive oil, sunflower oil, or rapeseed oil for periods of 3 wk. On the final day of each period, participants consumed standardized high-fat meals (42% of energy as fat). Fasting and nonfasting blood samples were collected after each period. Mean (+/-SEM) nonfasting peak concentrations of activated FVII (FVIIa) were 11.3 +/- 5.1 U/L lower after olive oil than after sunflower oil, an 18% reduction (P < 0.05). Olive oil also tended to cause lower FVIIa peak concentrations than did rapeseed oil (mean difference: 8.6 U/L, a 15% reduction; P = 0.09). There were no significant differences between diets with respect to nonfasting factor VII coagulant activity (FVII:c), prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2), and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) concentrations, or with respect to fasting plasma values of FVII protein, FVII:c, FVIIa, F1+2, or TFPI. A background diet rich in olive oil may attenuate the acute procoagulant effects of fatty meals, which might contribute to the low incidence of IHD in Mediterranean areas.

Inhibition of leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase by phenolics from virgin olive oil

Interest in the health-promoting effects of virgin olive oil, an important part of the ‘Mediterranean diet’, prompted us to determine the anti-eicosanoid and antioxidant effects in leukocytes of the principal phenolic compounds from the ‘polar fraction’: oleuropein, tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, and caffeic acid. In intact rat peritoneal leukocytes stimulated with calcium ionophore, all four phenolics inhibited leukotriene B 4 generation at the 5-lipoxygenase level with effectiveness hydroxytyrosol > oleuropein > caffeic acid > tyrosol (approximate ec 50 values: 15, 80, 200, and 500 μM, respectively). In contrast, none of these compounds caused substantial inhibition of thromboxane generation via the cyclo-oxygenase pathway. Hydroxytyrosol, caffeic acid, oleuropein, and tyrosol (decreasing order of effectiveness) also quenched the chemiluminescence signal due to reactive oxygen species generated by phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated rat leukocytes. None of these compounds were toxic to leukocytes at the concentrations tested. We conclude that the phenolics found in virgin olive oil possess an array of potentially beneficial lipoxygenase-inhibitory, prostaglandin-sparing, and antioxidant properties.

El aceite de oliva virgen y las enfermedades cardiovasculares. Perfil lipídico en plasma y composición lipídica de la membrana de eritrocito humano

We studied the effect of virgin olive oil on plasma lipids and erythrocyte membrane lipids of healthy subjects and hypertensive patients (with or without hypercholesterolaemia). The effect of high-oleic sunflower oil was also tested. The study was conducted over two 4-week periods, with a washout (4-week) period between both monounsaturated diets. Olive oil and high-oleic sunflower oil signiflcantly increased the plasma HDL cholesterol concentration, but only decreased the plasma LDL cholesterol concentration in healthy subjects. There was a reduction in the ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids in the erythrocyte membrane of healthy subjects, while an increase in the erythrocyte of hypertensive patients after both MUFA periods. The content of membrane cholesteryl esters was fully decreased. Olive oil (but not high-oleic sunflower oil) increased the content of long-chain PUFAs (arachidonic acid, and docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids of n-3 family) in the erythrocyte membrane of hypertensive patients. The effects were more evident in hypercholesterolaemic patients. Our study indicates that olive oil and high-oleic sunflower oil improve the plasma atherogenic profile In humans, although olive oil (and not high-oleic sunflower oil) had favourable effect on membrane homeostasis processes.