New perspectives on bioactivity of olive oil: evidence from animal models, human interventions and the use of urinary proteomic biomarkers

Abstract

Olive oil (OO) is the primary source of fat in the Mediterranean diet and has been associated with longevity and a lower incidence of chronic diseases, particularly CHD. Cardioprotective effects of OO consumption have been widely related with improved lipoprotein profile, endothelial function and inflammation, linked to health claims of oleic acid and phenolic content of OO. With CVD being a leading cause of death worldwide, a review of the potential mechanisms underpinning the impact of OO in the prevention of disease is warranted. The current body of evidence relies on mechanistic studies involving animal and cell-based models, epidemiological studies of OO intake and risk factor, small-and large-scale human interventions, and the emerging use of novel biomarker techniques associated with disease risk. Although model systems are important for mechanistic research nutrition, methodologies and experimental designs with strong translational value are still lacking. The present review critically appraises the available evidence to date, with particular focus on emerging novel biomarkers for disease risk assessment. New perspectives on OO research are outlined, especially those with scope to clarify key mechanisms by which OO consumption exerts health benefits. The use of urinary proteomic biomarkers, as highly specific disease biomarkers, is highlighted towards a higher translational approach involving OO in nutritional recommendations.

An extra virgin olive oil‐enriched diet improves maternal, placental, and cord blood parameters in GDM pregnancies

“…These proinflammatory markers have been previously found altered in GDM placentas and are difficult to modulate even with a good metabolic control 3,5 . Also, the ability of the EVOO‐enriched diet to prevent MMPs overactivity in the placenta and the umbilical cord blood observed in GDM patients is supported by previous studies addressing the effect of diets added with EVOO as negative regulators of MMPs in placentas from diabetic rats and in different human diseases 15,38 and provides evidence of the capacity of the benefits of the EVOO‐enriched diet to reach the foetal compartment.…”

Thai Tea Seed (Camellia oleifera) Oil Favorably Affects Plasma Lipid Responses in Hamsters Fed High‐Fat Diets

“…[3,4] Generally, American or European diets include more calories from fat and most of them from saturated fat, especially butter. [30] The possible mechanisms of the decrease in plasma LDL-C, VLDL-C, and TAG levels by oleic acid has been related to a high activity of hepatic acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), [31] an increase in hepatic LDL receptor mRNA levels, and a low hepatic expression of apolipoprotein B. The high levels of LDL-C and TAGrich lipoproteins are involved in the pathogenesis of CV events.…”

Influence of Phenol-Enriched Olive Oils on Human Intestinal Immune Function

“…Moreover, it also exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting lipoxygenase activity and therefore LTB4 production [ 48 ], and by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα or IL-1β both by in vitro and by animal model approaches. For example, hydroxytyrosol successfully modulated the inflammatory process in models of chronic inflammation as arthritis and colitis mice models, or even in acute models such as the paw edema induced acute inflammation (revised in [ 22 ]). In addition, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis shows that the daily consumption of olive oil, ranging approximately between 1 mg and 50 mg, results in a significantly decrease in CRP and IL-6 as compared to controls [ 49 ].…”

“…This phenolic fraction includes bioactive components such as hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, 3,4-DHPEA-EDA (oleacein), 3,4-DHPEA-EA (oleuropein aglycone), p -HPEA-EDA (oleocanthal), luteolin, apigenin (+)-pinoresinol, and (+)-1-acetoxypinoresinol, among others [ 18 ]. OO PC contribute to the health effects associated with virgin OO consumption [ 19 , 20 , 21 ], since they are linked epidemiologically to longevity and also to a lower incidence of chronic diseases, especially with a decrease in the risk of cardiovascular diseases [ 22 ].…”