BackgroundTrans-fatty acids (TFA) are known as a risk factor for coronary artery diseases, insulin resistance and obesity accompanied by systemic inflammation, the features of metabolic syndrome. Little is known about the effects on the liver induced by lipids and also few studies are focused on the effect of foods rich in TFAs on hepatic functions and oxidative stress. This study investigates whether high-fat diets with different TFA levels induce oxidative stress and liver dysfunction in rats.MethodsMale Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups (n = 12/group): C receiving standard-chow; Experimental groups that were fed high-fat diet included 20% fresh soybean oil diet (FSO), 20% oxidized soybean oil diet (OSO) and 20% margarine diet (MG). Each group was kept on the treatment for 4 weeks.ResultsA liver damage was observed in rats fed with high-fat diet via increase of liver lipid peroxidation and decreased hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase). The intake of oxidized oil led to higher levels of lipid peroxidation and a lower concentration of plasma antioxidants in comparison to rats fed with FSO. The higher inflammatory response in the liver was induced by MG diet. Liver histopathology from OSO and MG groups showed respectively moderate to severe cytoplasm vacuolation, hypatocyte hypertrophy, hepatocyte ballooning, and necroinflammation.ConclusionIt seems that a strong relationship exists between the consumption of TFA in the oxidized oils and lipid peroxidation and non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The extent of the peroxidative events in liver was also different depending on the fat source suggesting that feeding margarine with higher TFA levels may represent a direct source of oxidative stress for the organism. The present study provides evidence for a direct effect of TFA on NAFLD.

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The chemical composition, antibacterial, and antifungal activities of the volatile fractions from fresh and dried leaves of three Olea europaea L. cultivars from Tunisia (Neb jemel, Chemchali and Chemlali) have been studied. The volatile components were obtained via hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC–MS. The major constituents were (E)-3-hexenol, 3-ethenylpyridine, (E)-β-damascenone and phenylethyl alcohol, but their percentages varied according to the treatment of the leaves. Antioxidant activities were determined applying DPPH and ABTS+ radical-scavenging assays. In general, antioxidant activity of the volatile fraction obtained from fresh leaves was superior to that obtained from dried leaves. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the volatile fractions from fresh and dried leaves were evaluated against four bacterial and four fungal strains. The volatile fractions showed significant antibacterial and antifungal effects. However, some differences were observed in the response for several microorganisms, because of the variability of the composition. This work gives further knowledge for extensive development of this medicinal plan

PHC showed important antioxidant activities as well as high levels of bioactive compounds. Thus PHC is a potential source of natural antioxidants that may afford several health benefits. However, the lipid extract of PHS seems to have more nutritional value as a polyunsaturated oil than that of PHC, which is high in saturated and trans FAs.