Epidemiological studies suggest that consuming diets rich in (extra virgin) olive oil is associated with a low incidence of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Recent
evidence has emerged which implicates raised concentrations of plasma triglycerides in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). It has been demonstrated that olive oil contributes to
modulate metabolic processes related to secretion and transport of triglycerides. Intestinal triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from olive oil are very efficiently cleared during postprandial metabolism compared to
other oils. Then, there is a massive interaction of nascent and remnant triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, as well as lipid metabolites and fat-soluble components, with hepatic and non-hepatic tissues. A diet-related response involves a multitude of gene products, including proteins implicated in lipid synthesis, oxidation and cell differentiation. Particularly, it has been reported a health beneficial effect of several components from (extra virgin) olive oil (fatty acids
and minor compounds), which are functioning as regulators of gene transcription. This review reaffirm that a diet rich in extra virgin olive oil is of vital importance in the prevention of cardiovascular and
other diseases.
Estudios epidemiológicos asocian el consumo de una dieta rica en aceite de oliva (virgen extra) con una baja incidencia de enfermedades crónicas, como las enfermedades cardiovasculares y el cáncer. Una concentración elevada de triglicéridos en plasma, tanto en ayunas como durante el metabolismo postprandial, está implicada en la patogénesis cardiovascular. Se ha demostrado que el aceite de oliva contribuye a modular los procesos metabólicos relativos a la secreción y al transporte de triglicéridos. Con respecto a otros aceites comestibles, el aceite de oliva genera lipoproteínas intestinales ricas en triglicéridos que se metabolizan con rapidez. En este contexto, se produce un aflujo masivo de lipoproteínas nacientes y remanentes, así como de metabolitos lipídicos y componentes liposolubles, que interaccionan con células hepáticas y de tejidos extra-hepáticos. La respuesta celular a la dieta implica multitud de productos génicos, incluyendo proteínas asociadas a la síntesis de lípidos, oxidación y diferenciación celular. Se conoce el efecto beneficioso de los ácidos grasos y otros componentes menores en la regulación transcripcional de una gran variedad de genes. En esta revisión se reafirma la importancia de una dieta rica en aceite de oliva virgen extra en la prevención de las enfermedades cardiovasculares y otras.
The authors would like to acknowledge the
Ministry of Education and Science (ECI) of the Spanish Government for supporting this manuscript (grant AGL2001-0584). Beatriz Bermúdez and Sergio López are supported by I3P and FPU fellowships, whereas Yolanda M. Pacheco has an I3P Post-Doctoral contract from ECI.
Peer reviewed