title: Hypolipidimic and antioxidant activities of virgin olive oil and its fractions in 2,4-diclorophenoxyacetic acid-treated rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the effects of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and its hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions on serum lipids, oxidative stress, and morphologic and functional liver damages induced by 2,4-diclorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D).
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Wistar rats were divided randomly into eight groups: control; 2,4-D at a dose of 5 mg/kg of body weight (2,4-D); 2,4-D plus EVOO (2,4-D/EVOO); 2,4-D plus the hydrophilic fraction (2,4-D/OOHF); 2,4-D plus the lipophilic fraction (2,4-D/OOLF); only EVOO (EVOO); only the hydrophilic fraction (OOHF); and only the lipophilic fraction (OOLF). These components were administered daily by gavage for 4 wk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A hepatic architecture aberration, increased activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase enzymes, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and a decreased antioxidant defense system were observed in the 2,4-D group. The administration of EVOO restored the damage caused by 2,4-D by a significant decrease of plasma total and low-density lipoprotein levels and a moderate increase of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The 2,4-D/OOHF group exhibited a pronounced enhancement of the antioxidant defense system by an increase of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase levels and a decrease of plasma and liver MDA levels. However, less improvement in the liver histoarchitecture and antioxidant status was observed in rats supplemented with OOLF diet, despite its richness in α-tocopherol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extra virgin olive oil may be a potential functional food source of antioxidants than can decrease the frequency of cardiovascular diseases and liver damage.
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Laboratory, UR03/ES08, Human Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders, USCR Mass Spectrometry, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia. nakbia@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Amel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nakbi
authors.forename: Wafa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tayeb
authors.forename: Samia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dabbou
authors.forename: Issam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chargui
authors.forename: Manel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Issaoui
authors.forename: Abdelfattah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zakhama
authors.forename: Abdelhedi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miled
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hammami
mesh_terms: D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005511:Food Handling; D048550:Hepatic Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D006951:Hyperlipoproteinemias / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D000069463:Olive Oil; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010575:Pesticides; D010938:Plant Oils; D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid; D010088:Oxidoreductases