Sunflower oil does not protect against LDL oxidation as virgin olive oil does in patients with peripheral vascular disease.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the in vivo effects of a diet rich in virgin olive oil or sunflower oil on the lipid profile and on LDL susceptibility to oxidative modification in free-living Spanish male patients with peripheral vascular disease.


METHODS
A total of 20 Spanish male subjects diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10) receiving different supplements, virgin olive oil and sunflower oil for 4 months.


RESULTS
The adaptation of patients to the experimental supplements was demonstrated since plasma and LDL fatty acids composition reflected dietary fatty acids. No differences in triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol or HDL-cholesterol concentrations were found between the groups of patients. A significantly higher LDL susceptibility to oxidation was observed after sunflower oil intake in comparison with virgin olive oil, in spite of an increase in LDL alpha-tocopherol concentration in sunflower oil group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study provide further evidence that sunflower-oil-enriched diets does not protect LDL against oxidation as virgin olive oil does in patients with peripheral vascular disease.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Facultad de Farmacia, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Granada, C/ Ramón y Cajal, 4, 18071, Granada, Spain. agil@ugr.es
C M
CM
Aguilera
M D
MD
Mesa
M C
MC
Ramirez-Tortosa
M T
MT
Nestares
E
E
Ros
A
A
Gil
D000368:Aged; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry; D013030:Spain; D000074242:Sunflower Oil
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D008074:Lipoproteins; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D000074242:Sunflower Oil