PhD Candidate in Physiology Sherbrooke University Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Background:
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), is the leading cause of death worldwide, driven by factors like oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid metabolism disorders. Polyphenols found in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), and its monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), may help mitigate these factors. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is attributed with several cardioprotective properties, including the regulation of cellular cholesterol homeostasis, as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. It has been shown that aging remodels HDL protein and lipid composition. Therefore, this randomized clinical trial study aims to investigate the effect of EVOO consumption on HDL-related enzymes and oxidative stress status according to the level of cardiovascular risk.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Methods: A total of 99 healthy women and men were enrolled and were distributed according to age, into two groups: 30 young (31.03±5.39 years) and 60 elderly (69.87±6.82 years) subjects. Participants in both groups were given 25 mL/d of EVOO for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after the intervention to analyze key biomarkers. So far, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity (LCAT) were measured. Statistical analyses were conducted using paired and unpaired t-tests to evaluate changes in biomarkers within and between groups.
Results: A significant increase in TEAC was observed after consuming EVOO for 12 weeks (p < 0.0001) in older group. No significant changes were observed for plasma MDA and LCAT activity in both groups. In older participants only, plasma MDA level correlated positively with age (r=0.21, p= 0.03).
Conclusion:
Conclusion: These results highlight the potential of EVOO to enhance cardiometabolic health through targeted antioxidant effects. Further research is needed to confirm long-term cardiovascular benefits.
