Genes and miRNA expression signatures in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in healthy subjects and patients with metabolic syndrome after acute intake of extra virgin olive oil

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta 2016-11, Vol.1861 (11), p.1671-1680
• Main Authors: D'Amore, Simona, Vacca, Michele, Cariello, Marica, Graziano, Giusi, D'Orazio, Andria, Salvia, Roberto, Sasso, Rosa Cinzia, Sabbà, Carlo, Palasciano, Giuseppe, Moschetta, Antonio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Extra virgin olive oil; Feeding Behavior; Female; Gene expression; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - drug effects; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - metabolism; Male; Metabolic Syndrome - genetics; MicroRNAs - genetics; MicroRNAs - metabolism; miRNAs; Olive Oil - administration & dosage; PBMCs; Polyphenols - pharmacology; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Reproducibility of Results
• ISSN: 1388-1981; 0006-3002; 1879-2618
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2016.07.003

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) consumption has been associated with reduced cardiovascular risk but molecular mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects are not fully understood. Here we aimed to identify genes and miRNAs expression changes mediated by acute high- and low-polyphenols EVOO intake. Pre- and post-challenge gene and miRNAs expression analysis was performed on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 12 healthy subjects and 12 patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) by using microarray and RT-qPCR. In healthy subjects, acute intake of EVOO rich in polyphenols was able to ameliorate glycaemia and insulin sensitivity, and to modulate the transcription of genes and miRNAs involved in metabolism, inflammation and cancer, switching PBMCs to a less deleterious inflammatory phenotype; weaker effects were observed in patients with MS as well as in healthy subjects following low-polyphenol EVOO challenge. Concluding, our study shows that acute high-polyphenols EVOO intake is able to modify the transcriptome of PBMCs through the modulation of different pathways associated with the pathophysiology of cardio-metabolic disease and cancer. These beneficial effects are maximized in healthy subjects, and by the use of EVOO cultivars rich in polyphenols. Nutrigenomic changes induced by EVOO thus legitimate the well-known beneficial effects of EVOO in promoting human health and, potentially, preventing the onset of cardiovascular disease and cancer. •Acute EVOO intake transiently improves insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects.•EVOO directly modifies the transcriptome of PBMCs promoting health.•Nutrigenomic benefits of EVOO are weaker in patients with metabolic syndrome.•Genes and miRNA signatures in PBMCs can be used to monitor responses to diet.