Daily consumption of wild olive (acebuche) oil reduces blood pressure and ameliorates endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodelling in rats with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-induced hypertension

Abstract

Purpose: Despite numerous reports on the beneficial effects of olive oil in the cardiovascular context, very little is known about the olive tree’s wild counterpart (Olea europaea, L. var. sylvestris), commonly known as acebuche (ACE) in Spain. The aim of this study was to analyse the possible beneficial effects of an extra virgin ACE oil on vascular function in a rodent model of arterial hypertension induced by L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester). Methods: Four experimental groups of male Wistar rats were studied: 1) normotensive rats (Control group); 2) normotensive rats fed a commercial diet supplemented with 15% (w/w) ACE oil (Acebuche group); 3) rats made hypertensive following administration of L-NAME (L-NAME group); and 4) rats treated with L-NAME and simultaneously supplemented with 15% ACE oil (LN+ACE group). All treatments were maintained for 12 weeks. Results: Besides a significant blood pressure-lowering effect, the ACE oil-enriched diet counteracted the alterations found in aortas from hypertensive rats in terms of morphology and responsiveness to vasoactive mediators. In addition, a decrease in hypertension-related fibrotic and oxidative stress processes was observed in L-NAME-treated rats subjected to ACE oil supplement. Conclusion: Using a model of arterial hypertension via nitric oxide depletion, here we demonstrate the beneficial effects of a wild olive oil based upon its vasodilator, antihypertensive, antioxidant, antihypertrophic and antifibrotic properties. We postulate that regular inclusion of ACE oil in the diet can alleviate the vascular remodelling and endothelial dysfunction processes typically found in arterial hypertension, thus resulting in a significant reduction of blood pressure.

Exploring the Potential of Wild Olive (Acebuche) Oil as a Pharm‐Food to Prevent Ocular Hypertension and Fibrotic Events in the Retina of Hypertensive Mice

“…Indeed, previous studies in our group revealed the ability of ACE oil to prevent vascular remodeling and restore systemic vascular function in L-NAME-treated rats. [33] The better outcomes observed in this regard in favor of ACE oil could be partly explained by differences in minor compounds with vasoactive properties, such as triterpene acids (e.g., oleanolic and maslinic acid). [34,35] Additional studies in hypertensive patients have highlighted the presence of arterial sclerosis and vascular contraction due to enhanced intravascular pressure in the choroid [36] and reduced retinal blood flow.…”

Beneficial Effects of Polyphenol-Rich Food Oils in Cardiovascular Health and Disease

“…Clinical data on the anti-hypertensive effects of extra virgin OO are also supported by a range of animal models. Recent studies using extra virgin OO (20%) or wild OO (15%) dietary supplementation for 12 weeks demonstrated a reduction in both systolic and diastolic BP in hypertensive rats [ 38 , 39 ]. This hypotensive effect of OO might be exerted, at least in part, in an endothelium-dependent manner via improving NO bioavailability.…”

“…This hypotensive effect of OO might be exerted, at least in part, in an endothelium-dependent manner via improving NO bioavailability. Moreover, an OO-enriched diet alleviates vascular dysfunction, improves vascular remodeling and reduces aortic fibrosis in hypertensive rats [ 39 ]. Improvement of endothelial function after administration of OO can be attributed to the inhibition and/or scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [ 40 ].…”

The health benefits and practical considerations for the adoption of a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern

“…Most of the research on the health attributes of a MDP over the last half century has focussed on cardiometabolic health and in particular CVD and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The prospective cohort evidence for the MDP effect on incident disease or CVD outcomes (9) is convincing (6) . A 2020 review included thirty-eight cohorts and three RCT (10) .…”

“…The health benefits of olive oil have been studied independently from the MDP. In a rodent model of arterial hypertension, extra virgin olive oil demonstrated vasodilator, antihypertensive, antioxidant as well as antifibrotic and hypertrophic properties (28) .…”