scholarly journals Effects of Olive Oil and Its Minor Components on Cardiovascular Diseases, Inflammation, and Gut Microbiota

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1826 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Marcelino ◽  
Priscila Aiko Hiane ◽  
Karine de Cássia Freitas ◽  
Lidiani Figueiredo Santana ◽  
Arnildo Pott ◽  
...  

Olive oil is one of the main ingredients in the Mediterranean diet, being an important ally in disease prevention. Its nutritional composition is comprised of mainly monounsaturated fatty acids, with oleic being the major acid, plus minor components which act as effective antioxidants, such as hydroxytyrosol. Studies have shown that the consumption of olive oil, as well as its isolated components or in synergism, can be a primary and secondary protective factor against the development of cardiovascular diseases since it reduces the concentrations of low-density lipoproteins and increases the concentration of high-density lipoproteins. Furthermore, it exerts an influence on the inflammatory markers, such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor, which are pro-inflammatory agents in the body. The components present in olive oil are also associated with the promotion of intestinal health since they stimulate a higher biodiversity of beneficial gut bacteria, enhancing their balance. The objective of this review is to present recent data on investigated effects of olive oil and its components on the metabolism, focused on cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and gut biota.

Author(s):  
Cristina Nocella ◽  
Vittoria Cammisotto ◽  
Luca Fianchini ◽  
Alessandra D’Amico ◽  
Marta Novo ◽  
...  

Background and Objective: The cardioprotective properties of Mediterranean Diet were demonstrated for the first time from the Seven Country Study. In the last few decades, numerous epidemiological studies, as well as intervention trial, confirmed this observation, pointing out the close relationship between the Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular diseases. In this context, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), the most representative component of this diet, seems to be relevant in lowering the incidence of cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and stroke. From a chemical point of view, 98-99% of the total weight of EVOO is represented by fatty acids, especially monounsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid. Tocopherols, polyphenols and other minor constituents represent the remaining 1-2%. All these components may potentially contribute to ”health maintenance” with their beneficial effects by EVOOO. Methods: Studies that examined the effect of EVOO supplementation in healthy subjects and in individuals at cardiovascular risk were included. Conclusion: The studies analyzed demonstrated the role of EVOO as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and vasodilatory nutrient that may contribute to lower the atherosclerotic burden.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1550
Author(s):  
Diana Martonik ◽  
Anna Parfieniuk-Kowerda ◽  
Magdalena Rogalska ◽  
Robert Flisiak

COVID-19 is an acute infectious disease of the respiratory system caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infections occurs through droplets and contaminated objects. A rapid and well-coordinated immune system response is the first line of defense in a viral infection. However, a disturbed and over-activated immune response may be counterproductive, causing damage to the body. Severely ill patients hospitalised with COVID-19 exhibit increased levels of many cytokines, including Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Increasing evidence suggests that Th17 cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, not only by activating cytokine cascade but also by inducing Th2 responses, inhibiting Th1 differentiation and suppressing Treg cells. This review focuses on a Th17 pathway in the course of the immune response in COVID-19, and explores plausible targets for therapeutic intervention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 4207
Author(s):  
Nikola Tułowiecka ◽  
Dariusz Kotlęga ◽  
Andrzej Bohatyrewicz ◽  
Małgorzata Szczuko

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases including stroke are one of the most common causes of death. Their main cause is atherosclerosis and chronic inflammation in the body. An ischemic stroke may occur as a result of the rupture of unstable atherosclerotic plaque. Cardiovascular diseases are associated with uncontrolled inflammation. The inflammatory reaction produces chemical mediators that stimulate the resolution of inflammation. One of these mediators is lipoxins—pro-resolving mediators that are derived from the omega-6 fatty acid family, promoting inflammation relief and supporting tissue regeneration. Aim: The aim of the study was to review the available literature on the therapeutic potential of lipoxins in the context of ischemic stroke. Material and Methods: Articles published up to 31 January 2021 were included in the review. The literature was searched on the basis of PubMed and Embase in terms of the entries: ‘stroke and lipoxin’ and ‘stroke and atherosclerosis’, resulting in over 110 articles in total. Studies that were not in full-text English, letters to the editor, and conference abstracts were excluded. Results: In animal studies, the injection/administration of lipoxin A4 improved the integrity of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), decreased the volume of damage caused by ischemic stroke, and decreased brain edema. In addition, lipoxin A4 inhibited the infiltration of neutrophils and the production of cytokines and pro-inflammatory chemokines, such as interleukin (Il-1β, Il-6, Il-8) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The beneficial effects were also observed after introducing the administration of lipoxin A4 analog—BML-111. BML-111 significantly reduces the size of a stroke and protects the cerebral cortex, possibly by reducing the permeability of the blood–brain barrier. Moreover, more potent than lipoxin A4, it has an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing the amount of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusions: Lipoxins and their analogues may find application in reducing damage caused by stroke and improving the prognosis of patients after ischemic stroke.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Markovich ◽  
O Mironova

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Regular physical activity is an important component of therapy for most сardiovascular diseases and is associated with reduced cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. The promotion of the physical activity and regular exercise is an important preventive measure that affects the prognosis. Purpose To assess the awareness of the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in exercising population and its influence on the safety of the patients and healthy adults among coaches and people actively engaged in sports activities. Methods An open non-randomized observation was conducted. The questionnaire created by our team included 45 questions about cardiovascular diseases and sport. 111 athletes and coaches aged from 19 to 46 were enrolled in the study. 61,5% (68) are men and 38,5% (42) of the respondents are women. 30,3% (33) of the respondents are coaches. 45,5% (15) of them have over 5 years of coaching experience. 44% (48) of all respondents prefer endurance sport, 25,7% (28) train strength exercise. 63,6% (70) train 3-8 hours per week, 12,7% (14 [7 women and 7 men]) train more than 8 hours each week. Results 18,5% (20 [6 women and 14 men]) think that ECG is enough for screening for cardiovascular diseases. 20% (4) of them are coaches. Only 69,5% (77) of all respondents know about treadmill test. And 41,6% (32/77) of them know about the necessary screening for arrhythmogenic condition. 13% (10/77) of them train more than 8 hours per week. And only 27,3% (21/77) of people who know about treadmill test, passed it themselves. Also 21,6% (24) of all respondents think that any episode of arrhythmia is the  contraindication for any sport. But 96,4% (107) of the respondents know that it is necessary to regularly screen the cardiovascular system, even in the absence of complaints. 9% (10) of the interviewed think that diet is not important for people with cardiovascular diseases. And 18,9% (21) of the respondents don’t know about the effect of electrolytes on the body and the work of the heart muscle. Only 53,2% (59 [21 women and 38 men]) of the respondents trust the doctors more than coaches or themselves. And this is one of the reasons why it is necessary to talk about the basic principles of sports cardiology not only to doctors. 8,1% (9) of the respondents have never heard about any cases of sudden death of an athlete during training or at competitions due to «heart problems». 63,6% (21) of the coaches would not train a person who has suffered a heart attack. 71,8% (56) of the sportsmen would like to return to training after a heart attack. Conclusions Despite the fact that most people prefer a sedentary lifestyle, high-intensity fitness and long-distance endurance sport is getting more popular. Our survey proves the relatively low level of education about the underlying health conditions and possible risks associated with sports not only among  athletes but  professional coaches as well. There are no conflicts of interest to declare.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 912
Author(s):  
Mai Matsumoto ◽  
Hiroyuki Suganuma ◽  
Naoki Ozato ◽  
Sunao Shimizu ◽  
Mitsuhiro Katashima ◽  
...  

Consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids has been widely reported to prevent cardiovascular diseases. However, the relationship between serum carotenoid concentrations and visceral fat area (VFA), which is considered a better predictor of cardiovascular diseases than the body-mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, remains unclear. Therefore, we examined the relationship in healthy individuals in their 20s or older, stratified by sex and age, to compare the relationship between serum carotenoid concentrations and VFA and BMI. The study was conducted on 805 people, the residents in Hirosaki city, Aomori prefecture, who underwent a health checkup. An inverse relationship between serum carotenoid concentrations and VFA and BMI was observed only in women. In addition, the results were independent of the intake of dietary fiber, which is mainly supplied from vegetables as well as carotenoids. This suggests that consumption of a diet rich in carotenoids (especially lutein and beta-carotene) is associated with lower VFA, which is a good predictor of cardiovascular disease, especially in women. This study is the first to comprehensively evaluate the association between serum carotenoid levels and VFA in healthy individuals.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 514
Author(s):  
Sullim Lee ◽  
Giang Do Hoang ◽  
Daeyoung Kim ◽  
Ho Sueb Song ◽  
Sungyoul Choi ◽  
...  

The skin is an important organ in the human body that protects the body from environmentally hazardous substances. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause inflammatory reactions and degradation of the extracellular matrix leading to skin aging and various cutaneous lesions. This study evaluated the potential of isoflavones isolated from Maclura tricuspidata fruit to prevent TNF-α-induced skin inflammation in normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). It focused on alpinumisoflavone (AIF) that suppressed the accumulation of ROS and nitric oxide (NO) in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-treated HDFs. AIF inhibited the TNF-α-induced increase in matrix metalloproteinase-1, decreased procollagen I α1, and suppressed pro-inflammatory mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including NO synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 that trigger inflammatory responses. AIF inhibited nuclear factor-κB and activating protein 1 mitogen-activated protein kinases that were increased by TNF-α stimulation. These results suggest that AIF may protect skin from aging and various cutaneous lesions.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 360
Author(s):  
Guodong Rao ◽  
Jianguo Zhang ◽  
Xiaoxia Liu ◽  
Xue Li ◽  
Chenhe Wang

Olive oil has been favored as high-quality edible oil because it contains balanced fatty acids (FAs) and high levels of minor components. The contents of FAs and minor components are variable in olive fruits of different color at harvest time, which render it difficult to determine the optimal harvest strategy for olive oil producing. Here, we combined metabolome, Pacbio Iso-seq, and Illumina RNA-seq transcriptome to investigate the association between metabolites and gene expression of olive fruits at harvest time. A total of 34 FAs, 12 minor components, and 181 other metabolites (including organic acids, polyols, amino acids, and sugars) were identified in this study. Moreover, we proposed optimal olive harvesting strategy models based on different production purposes. In addition, we used the combined Pacbio Iso-seq and Illumina RNA-seq gene expression data to identify genes related to the biosynthetic pathways of hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein. These data lay the foundation for future investigations of olive fruit metabolism and gene expression patterns, and provide a method to obtain olive harvesting strategies for different production purposes.


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Benavides ◽  
Pedro Martín-Álvarez ◽  
Luis Vázquez ◽  
Guillermo Reglero ◽  
Francisco Señoráns ◽  
...  

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