A Mixture of Algae and Extra Virgin Olive Oils Attenuates the Cardiometabolic Alterations Associated with Aging in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Aging is one of the major risk factors for suffering cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Due to the increase in life expectancy, there is a strong interest in the search for anti-aging strategies to treat and prevent these aging-induced disorders. Both omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) exert numerous metabolic and cardiovascular benefits in the elderly. In addition, EVOO constitutes an interesting ingredient to stabilize ω-3 PUFA and decrease their oxidation process due to its high content in antioxidant compounds. ω-3 PUFA are commonly obtained from fish. However, more ecological and sustainable sources, such as algae oil (AO) can also be used. In this study, we aimed to study the possible beneficial effect of an oil mixture composed by EVOO (75%) and AO (25%) rich in ω-3 PUFA (35% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 20% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)) on the cardiometabolic alterations associated with aging. For this purpose; young (three months old) and old (24 months old) male Wistar rats were treated with vehicle or with the oil mixture (2.5 mL/kg) for 21 days. Treatment with the oil mixture prevented the aging-induced increase in the serum levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and the aging-induced decrease in the serum concentrations of mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). Old treated rats showed increased serum concentrations of EPA and DHA and decreased HOMA-IR index and circulating levels of total cholesterol, insulin and IL-6. Treatment with the oil mixture increased the mRNA levels of antioxidant and insulin sensitivity-related enzymes, as well as reduced the gene expression of pro-inflammatory markers in the liver and in cardiac and aortic tissues. In addition, the treatment also prevented the aging-induced endothelial dysfunction and vascular insulin resistance through activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Moreover, aortic rings from old rats treated with the oil mixture showed a decreased response to the vasoconstrictor AngII. In conclusion, treatment with a mixture of EVOO and AO improves the lipid profile, insulin sensitivity and vascular function in aged rats and decreases aging-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver, and in the cardiovascular system. Thus, it could be an interesting strategy to deal with cardiometabolic alterations associated with aging.

Beneficial Effects of a Mixture of Algae and Extra Virgin Olive Oils on the Age-Induced Alterations of Rodent Skeletal Muscle: Role of HDAC-4

“…This could be the reason why the old animals treated with the oil mixture had the same inflammatory profile in serum [31] and in skeletal muscle as the young ones, as can be seen in the present study. This oil mixture also had anti-oxidant effects [31]; its administration to the same cohort of animals reduced the oxidative status in the liver, heart, and vasculature. Increased emission of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has proven to be involved in sarcopenia [38], which is another way that the oil treatment can reduce the harmful effects of these molecules.…”

“…[34]. We have previously described the higher profile of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative parameters in the same cohort of old animals [31]. In the present study, we observed that skeletal muscle in old rats had an increased level of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and a decreased level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.…”

“…Thus, its use may be more beneficial. We have previously described that this mixture of oils is beneficial for attenuating cardio-metabolic alterations in aged rats [ 31 ]. Our hypothesis is that these oils may also exert positive effects on skeletal muscle.…”

Oxidative Stress and New Pathogenetic Mechanisms in Endothelial Dysfunction: Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets

“…Besides, several ‘anti-aging’ nutraceutical compounds have been recently proposed to counteract oxidative stress and senescence [ 40 ]. For example, both omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) have been reported to exert numerous metabolic and cardiovascular benefits in the elderly due to their high content in antioxidant compounds [ 199 , 200 , 201 , 202 ]. In old rats, the treatment prevented aging-induced endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular insulin resistance through activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and decreasing the response to the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II [ 202 ].…”

“…For example, both omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) have been reported to exert numerous metabolic and cardiovascular benefits in the elderly due to their high content in antioxidant compounds [ 199 , 200 , 201 , 202 ]. In old rats, the treatment prevented aging-induced endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular insulin resistance through activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and decreasing the response to the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II [ 202 ]. Moreover, the Citrus flavonoid naringenin (NAR) has been demonstrated to exert anti-senescence effects, and, when administered to old mice, it reduced ROS production in myocardial tissue, inflammation, and vascular remodeling [ 203 ].…”