title: Beneficial effects of polyphenol-rich olive oil in patients with early atherosclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Diets rich in plant-derived polyphenols such as olive oil (OO) and/or catechins such as epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) have been shown to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, potentially by improving endothelial function, an important surrogate for atherosclerosis. The possible augmentation of endothelial function with the combined efforts of OO and EGCG is intriguing, yet unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-two patients with early atherosclerosis (presence of endothelial dysfunction) were enrolled in this double-blind, randomized trial with 52 completing the study. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of a daily intake of 30 ml simple OO, with 30 ml of EGCG-supplemented OO, on endothelial function as well as on inflammation and oxidative stress after a period of 4 months. Endothelial function was assessed noninvasively via peripheral arterial tonometry (Endo-PAT®).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 4 months, when OO and EGCG-supplemented OO groups were combined, OO significantly improved endothelial function (RHI, 1.59 ± 0.25-1.75 ± 0.45; p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in results between the two olive oil groups. Interestingly, with OO supplementation there was a significant reduction in inflammatory parameters: sICAM (196 to 183 ng/mL, p = < 0.001); white blood cells (WBCs) (6.0 × 10⁹/L-5.8 × 10⁹/L, p < 0.05); monocytes (0.48 × 10⁹/L to 0.44 × 10⁹/L, p = 0.05); lymphocytes (1.85 × 10⁹/L to 1.6 × 10⁹/L, p = 0.01); and platelets (242-229 × 10⁹/L, p = 0.047).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improvement in endothelial dysfunction in patients with early atherosclerosis in association with significant reduction in leukocytes may suggest an important role of early cellular inflammatory mediators on endothelial function. The current study supports one potential mechanism for the role of olive oil, independent of EGCG, modestly supplemented to a healthy cardiovascular diet.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Widmer
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Freund
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Flammer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sexton
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lennon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Romani
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mulinacci
authors.forename: F F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Vinceri
authors.forename: L O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Lerman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lerman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000737:chemistry; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D000069463:Olive Oil; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000975:Antioxidants; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D059808:Polyphenols