In elderly people, high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil increases FRAP and PON-1 antioxidant activity only in those who have had a heart attack, not in those who have not, when both groups consume...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
After eating high-phenolic olive oil, specific compounds turn on a cellular defense system that makes more antioxidant enzymes. This system works more strongly in people who have had a heart attack, lowering harmful molecules in the blood and keeping a protective enzyme active. Healthy elderly...
Most probable mechanism
After consuming high-phenolic olive oil, the compounds hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol enter the bloodstream and trigger a cellular defense system that turns on genes for antioxidant enzymes. This system is more active in people who have had a heart attack, leading to stronger protection against oxidative damage. The enzymes reduce harmful molecules in the blood and keep another protective enzyme, PON-1, working properly, which lowers the risk of artery damage.
Hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after ingestion of high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil
These phenolic compounds activate the PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in vascular and immune cells
Activation of these pathways prevents the degradation of the transcription factor Nrf2, allowing it to accumulate and translocate into the nucleus
Nrf2 binds to antioxidant response elements in DNA, increasing the production of antioxidant enzymes including heme oxygenase-1, superoxide dismutase, and catalase
The increased antioxidant enzyme activity enhances the plasma's capacity to neutralize free radicals, raising ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)
Reduced oxidative stress preserves the structure and function of paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), preventing its inactivation and maintaining its ability to break down oxidized lipids in lipoproteins
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
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High-Tyrosol/Hydroxytyrosol Extra Virgin Olive Oil Enhances Antioxidant Activity in Elderly Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients
Contradicting (0)
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