Protective effects of hydroxytyrosol-supplemented refined olive oil in animal models of acute inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis

• Published in: The Journal of nutritional biochemistry 2015-04, Vol.26 (4), p.360-368
• Main Authors: Silva, S., Sepodes, B., Rocha, J., Direito, R., Fernandes, A., Brites, D., Freitas, M., Fernandes, E., Bronze, M.R., Figueira, M.E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - drug therapy; Cyclooxygenase 2 - genetics; Cyclooxygenase 2 - metabolism; Dietary Supplements; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Down-Regulation; Hydroxytyrosol; Inflammation; Inflammation - drug therapy; Male; Neutrophils - cytology; Neutrophils - drug effects; Neutrophils - metabolism; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II - genetics; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II - metabolism; Olive oil; Olive Oil - pharmacology; Phenolic compounds; Phenylethyl Alcohol - analogs & derivatives; Phenylethyl Alcohol - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Rheumatoid arthritis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - blood
• ISSN: 0955-2863; 1873-4847
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2014.11.011

Virgin olive oil is the primary source of fat in the Mediterranean diet, and its beneficial health effects have been related with oleic acid and phenolic compounds content. Hydroxytyrosol, a typical virgin olive oil phenolic compound, has beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as previously reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydroxytyrosol-supplemented refined olive oil at 0.5 and 5 mg/kg in a rodent model of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis was induced by intradermic administration, in male Wistar rats, of Freund’s adjuvant with collagen type II on days 1 and 21. Hydroxytyrosol-supplemented refined olive oils were administrated by gavage from day 23 until day 35. The treatment at 5-mg/kg dose significantly decreased paw edema (P