Daily Use of Extra Virgin Olive Oil with High Oleocanthal Concentration Reduced Body Weight, Waist Circumference, Alanine Transaminase, Inflammatory Cytokines and Hepatic Steatosis in Subjects with the Metabolic Syndrome: A 2-Month Intervention Study

Abstract

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) intake is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk, and its phenolic compound oleocanthal (OC) has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The cardiometabolic effects of EVOO with a high OC concentration have not been fully elucidated. We administered EVOO with a high OC concentration daily to 23 subjects with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hepatic steatosis (15 men and 8 women, age: 60 ± 11 years) for 2 months. Anthropometric data, metabolic parameters, hepatic steatosis (by fatty liver index, FLI), abdominal fat distribution (by ultrasound), and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were assessed before and after the intervention. EVOO supplementation was associated with a reduction in body weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), alanine transaminase and FLI, as well as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-1B, while IL-10 increased. Maximum subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT max) also increased, with a concomitant decrease in the ratio of visceral fat layer thickness/SFT max. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations between changes in body weight and BMI and those in SFT max, along with an inverse association between changes in IL-6 and those in SFT max. In conclusion, ingestion of EVOO with a high OC concentration had beneficial effects on metabolic parameters, inflammatory cytokines and abdominal fat distribution in MetS subjects with hepatic steatosis, a category of patients at high cardiometabolic risk.

Health benefits of olive oil and by-products and possible innovative applications for industrial processes

“…Following EVOO intake, hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleuropein, and their metabolites are mainly identified in the lumen of the intestine where they might be committed to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions [45]. This improvement was correlated with a reduction in alanine transaminase, IL-6, and IL-17A [49].…”

Pasta Supplemented with Opuntia ficus-indica Extract Improves Metabolic Parameters and Reduces Atherogenic Small Dense Low-Density Lipoproteins in Patients with Risk Factors for the Metabolic Syndrome: A Four-Week Intervention Study

“…In recent years, there has been increased clinical need for, and strong research efforts focused on, natural approaches to MetS management [78,79] and even food supplementation with OFI [80][81][82][83]. Although our study was relatively small and limited in drawing any definitive inferences, especially in view of inter-/intra-individual variability, the preliminary data presented herein is highly suggestive of a potential beneficial protective activity of OFI extract on CVD based on its effects on both lipid and glucose metabolism.…”

Novel Therapeutical Approaches to Managing Atherosclerotic Risk

“…Different classes of nutraceuticals could modulate Notch’s pathways. Olive oil improved plasma HDL levels, decreased the level of systemic EndoThelin-1 (ET-1), enhanced HDL content, increased endogenous antioxidant enzymes, reduced DNA oxidation level, increased fecal microbial metabolic activity, ameliorated endothelial function [ 48 ]; for flavonoids, epicatechin improved endothelial function and reduced inflammation [ 49 ] and EpiGalloCatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) restores the expression of Jagged-1 (the key effector of EGCG-protective effect against oxLDL-induced endothelial dysfunction) and of target proteins (MATH1, HES1, and HES5) [ 50 ]; norisoboldine induces VEGF-mediated migration through activation of Notch-1 [ 51 ]; DocosaHexaenoic Acid (DHA) increases Notch-3 expression and HES1 transcription and enhances γ-secretase complex activity [ 52 ]; Diosgenin prevents nuclear translocation of NICD in aorta and in differentiated macrophage cells [ 53 ]; BerBeRine (BBR) upregulates NICD translocation and HES1 expression and in vitro antiapoptotic effect of BBR is blocked by Notch-1 or HES1 siRNA [ 54 ]; polydatin exerts cardioprotection against diabetic myocardial IRI by activating myocardial Notch-1/HES1 signaling, DAPT blunts the beneficial effects of polydatin [ 55 ]; 2,3,5,4′-TetrahydroxyStilbene-2- o -β- d -Glucoside (TSG) upregulates NICD and HES1 expression and in vitro, antiapoptotic effect of TSG is blocked by gamma-secretase DAPT [ 56 ]; resveratrol decreases Notch-1, Jagged-1, Hey1, and Hey2 mRNA in balloon-injured arteries at 7 days [ 57 ].…”