Effect of ingestion of virgin olive oil on human low-density lipoprotein composition.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the incorporation of oleic acid and antioxidants (phenols and vitamin E) to low density lipoprotein (LDL) after acute and short-term ingestion of virgin olive oil. To study whether this incorporation contributes to an increase in LDL resistance to oxidation.


METHODS
Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Barcelona, Spain and Department of Lipids and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, IMIM, Barcelona, Spain.


METHODS
Sixteen healthy volunteers aged 25-65 y.


METHODS
To observe the change in the fatty acid profile, vitamin E, phenolic compounds and LDL oxidation-related variables after the postprandial phase and after daily ingestion of olive oil for one week.


RESULTS
Few changes were observed in the postprandial phase. However, after a week of olive oil consumption there was an increase in oleic acid (P=0.015), vitamin E (P=0.047), phenolics (P=0.021) and lag time (P=0.000), and a decrease in the maximum amount of dienes (P=0.045) and oxidation rate (P=0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
After ingestion of virgin olive oil, an increase in antioxidants and oleic acid in LDL was observed as well as an improvement of LDL resistance to oxidation. Our results support the idea that daily ingestion of virgin olive oil could protect LDL from oxidation.


BACKGROUND
This study was supported by a research grant from Spain (ALI 97-1607-C02-02).
Gimeno
E
E
Department de Nutrició i Bromatologia-CeRTA, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Fitó
M
M
Lamuela-Raventós
R M
RM
Castellote
A I
AI
Covas
M
M
Farré
M
M
de La Torre-Boronat
M C
MC
López-Sabater
M C
MC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010636:Phenols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019518:Postprandial Period; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
D000975:Antioxidants; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010636:Phenols; D010938:Plant Oils; D014810:Vitamin E