Abstract
High-fat diets are associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases. The
efficacy of the current strategies of treatment is still not entirely satisfactory,
and new approaches are being considered. To analyze the beneficial effects of extra
virgin olive oil as a major component of the Mediterranean diet, we studied systolic
blood pressure and angiotensinase activities, since this enzyme is involved in the
metabolism of angiotensins, in the kidney of hypertensive rats fed during 12 weeks
with a diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil compared with a standard diet. As
a reflex of oxidative stress, 8-isoprostanes and nitric oxide were quantified in urine.
Results demonstrated a progressive increase in systolic blood pressure until the end
of the feeding period in both groups. However, this increase was delayed in the extra
virgin olive oil group until week six, with the systolic blood pressure being always
lower in this group. Nitric oxide and 8-isoprostanes were lower in the extra virgin
olive oil group. While we can deduce a higher formation of angiotensin 2–10 in the
renal cortex, a higher availability of angiotensin II may be presumed in the
renal medulla of animals fed an extra virgin olive oil diet than in animals fed a
standard diet. Our results support the beneficial influence of extra virgin olive
oil on cardiovascular function and suggest that the Mediterranean diet may be beneficial
in itself but it may also be an effective tool in the treatment of hypertension.
Key words
Olea europaea
- Oleaceae - extra virgin olive oil - cardiovascular diseases - kidney - angiotensinases
