Effects of Virgin Olive oil and phenol-enriched virgin olive oils on lipoprotein atherogenicity

Farràs Mañé, Marta; Canyelles, Marina; Fitó Colomer, Montserrat; Escolà-Gil, Joan Carles

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu12030601

Effects of Virgin Olive oil and phenol-enriched virgin olive oils on lipoprotein atherogenicity

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Farràs M, Canyelles M, Fitó M, Escolà-Gil JC. Effects of Virgin Olive oil and phenol-enriched virgin olive oils on lipoprotein atherogenicity. Nutrients. 2020 Feb 26; 12(3):601. DOI: 10.3390/nu12030601

Abstract

The atherogenicity of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) may be more significant than LDL cholesterol levels. Clinical trials which have led to increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol have not always seen reductions in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Furthermore, genetic variants predisposing individuals to high HDL cholesterol are not associated with a lower risk of suffering a coronary event, and therefore HDL functionality is considered to be the most relevant aspect. Virgin olive oil (VOO) is thought to play a protective role against CVD. This review describes the effects of VOO and phenol-enriched VOOs on lipoprotein atherogenicity and HDL atheroprotective properties. The studies have demonstrated a decrease in LDL atherogenicity and an increase in the HDL-mediated macrophage cholesterol efflux capacity, HDL antioxidant activity, and HDL anti-inflammatory characteristics after various VOO interventions. Moreover, the expression of cholesterol efflux-related genes was enhanced after exposure to phenol-enriched VOOs in both post-prandial and sustained trials. Improvements in HDL antioxidant properties were also observed after VOO and phenol-enriched VOO interventions. Furthermore, some studies have demonstrated improved characteristics of TRL atherogenicity under postprandial conditions after VOO intake. Large-scale, long-term randomized clinical trials, and Mendelian analyses which assess the lipoprotein state and properties, are required to confirm these results.