Hydroxytyrosyl alkyl ether derivatives inhibit platelet activation after oral administration to rats

The low lipophilicity of hydroxytyrosol (HT) has motivated efforts to synthesize homologous series with better lipid solubility, such as the ethers, which are more lipophilic than HT. Because HT inhibits platelet aggregation, the aim of the study was to assess the possible anti-platelet effect of five HT ether derivatives (ethyl, butyl, hexyl, octyl and dodecyl) after oral administration to rats. Whole blood collagen-induced platelet aggregation and calcium-induced thromboxane B₂ (TxB₂), aortic 6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α (6-keto-PGF_1α) and nitrites + nitrates, plasma concentration of lipid peroxides (TBARS) and red blood cell content of reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured. The administration of 20 mg/kg/day inhibited platelet aggregation, TxB₂ and TBARS in a non-linear manner related to the length of the carbon chain, with a cut-off effect in the hexyl derivative. Aortic nitrite and red blood cell GSH production were also increased. The aortic production of 6-keto-PGF_1α was unaltered except in the group treated with the dodecyl derivative. The administration of 50 mg/kg/day showed a similar pharmacodynamic profile but without the non-linear effect. In conclusion, HT ethers, especially the hexyl derivative, are a potential alternative to hydroxytyrosol, and their effect merits additional research to determine their role in the prophylaxis of vascular disease.     

Short-term effects of massage with olive oil on the severity of uremic restless legs syndrome: A double-blind placebo-controlled trial

BackgroundAlthough the efficacy of olive oil massage has been established for different disorders, no studies have yet focused on the effect of olive oil massage on restless legs syndrome (RLS). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of massage with olive oil in reducing the severity of uremic RLS.MethodsThis double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 60 patients with uremic RLS (mean age: 51.96 ± 10.15), who were randomly divided into olive oil and placebo groups. The olive oil group received massage with olive oil, while the placebo group received massage with liquid paraffin twice a week during hemodialysis sessions for three weeks. For each leg, 10 mL of the olive oil or placebo was applied and then massaged for five min from the plantar surface of the foot to the area below the knee. The severity of RLS was rated on the first day and one week after the final massage therapy session by using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) Rating Scale.ResultsIn terms of different categories of RLS severity, a significant decline was observed only in the olive oil group from the pre- to post-intervention stages (P = 0.003). After the intervention, the decline in the total RLS severity was more significant in the olive oil group (P < 0.001), compared to the placebo group (P = 0.019). Moreover, a significant difference in the total RLS severity (P < 0.001) and different categories of RLS severity (P = 0.002) was observed after the intervention between the groups in favor of olive oil massage. However, no significant difference was found between groups in pre-intervention stage in this regard (P = 0.363 and P = 0.955, respectively).ConclusionApplication of short-term massage with olive oil as a complementary method seems to be effective in reducing the severity of uremic RLS. Further studies are suggested to identify the sustainability of the findings.     

A protocol for a randomized trial measuring flowmetry in risk areas for pressure ulcer: Hyperoxygenated fatty acids vs olive oil

BackgroundPressure ulcers are a common adverse event in healthcare. To date, no flowmetry studies have been conducted to compare hyperoxygenated fatty acids (HFA) vs. extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) in alleviating this condition.AimsTo determine and evaluate the effect of the application of HFA vs. EVOO on tissue oxygenation and perfusion in heels under pressure, in healthy persons and in hospitalised patients.DesignTwo-phase experimental study.MethodsPhase 1 will be conducted with healthy subjects, using a randomised, open study design, evaluating an intrasubject control group. Phase 2 will focus on hospitalised subjects, with a randomised, open study group vs. a control group.DiscussionThis Project is undertaken to identify the mechanisms that intervene in the genesis of pressure ulcers and to determine whether there are differences in outcomes between the application of HFA vs. EVOO as a preventive measureThe results of this study are of economic importance (due to the price difference between the products used) and will also impact on usual clinical practice for patients with impaired mobility and liable to suffer from pressure ulcers, by considering an alternative to established preventive measures.     

脂肪乳剂的临床使用及其进展

在肠外营养中,脂肪乳剂的作用逐渐受到广泛的重视。传统的以大豆油为基础的脂肪乳剂的主要成分是亚油酸,作为长链多不饱和的ω-6脂肪酸,以亚油酸为基础的脂肪乳剂的缺点包括血液中甘油三酯代谢速率慢、增加过氧化风险以及对免疫功能的负面影响等。为了降低脂肪乳剂中亚油酸的比例,应研发以椰子油、橄榄油、鱼油以及结构甘油三酯为基础的各种新型脂肪乳剂。     

Oleuropein in olive and its pharmacological effects

Olive from Olea europaea is native to the Mediterranean region and, both the oil and the fruit are some of the main components of the Mediterranean diet. The main active constituents of olive oil include oleic acid, phenolic constituents, and squalene. The main phenolic compounds, hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein, give extra-virgin olive oil its bitter, pungent taste. The present review focuses on recent works that have analyzed the relationship between the major phenolic compound oleuropein and its pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, anti-cancer activities, antimicrobial activity, antiviral activity, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effect.     

The effects of Beeswax,Olive oil and Butter impregnated bandage on burn wound healing

BackgroundBeeswax, Olive oil and Butter (BOB) are nutritive products that could support wound healing by adsorption to bandage. This study demonstrated the therapeutic effects of BOB on second degree burn.MethodsSecond degree burn model was created in rats. Experimental groups were assigned to Healthy, Burn, Silver Sulfadiazine (SS) and BOB. The effects of BOB were evaluated on skin regeneration, vesicles and bullae and fibroblast activity by histopathological analyses and wound contraction percent were determined. Transforming Growth Factor-Beta1 (TGF-β1) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-alpha (VEGF-α) mRNA expressions were analyzed with Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction. All parameters analyzed at 3rd, 7th, 14th days.ResultsThe BOB treatment increased TGF-β1 and VEGF-α expressions compared to Burn group. The histopathological analyses showed that epidermis and dermis layers injured due to burn. BOB treatment augmented the regeneration of these layers and increased fibroblast activity and keratinization which are play important role on the new blood vessels production. Also with the BOB treatment we showed wound contraction levels were higher than Burn and SS treatment.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that beeswax–olive oil–butter mixture impregnated bandage treatment in a second-degree burn rat model improved burn wound healing and encouraged skin renewal via modulating tissue TGF-β1 and VEGF-α.     

The development of major projections to the inferior olivary nucleus

Summary We have employed degeneration techniques to study the ontogeny of major projections to the inferior olivary nucleus in the North American opossum, a species which is born 12 days after conception and which enjoys a protracted development in an external pouch. Subsequent to spinal lesions a small amount of axonal degeneration can be produced within the edge of the olive before subnuclei can be distinguished (7 days after birth, 24 mm, snout-rump length). Degenerating axons are present more deeply within the olive in animals operated 12 days after birth (30 mm, snout-rump length) and by at least day 16 (36 mm, snout-rump length), they are found in all of the regions they occupy in the adult animal. Subsequent to lesions which undercut all descending mesencephalic and diencephalic systems, a small amount of axonal degeneration is found at the dorsolateral edge of the olive by day 7 (23 mm, snout-rump length). Degenerating axons fill more of the olive, particularly caudally, after comparable lesions in older animals and by day 17 (38 mm, snout-rump length), degeneration is present in all of the olivary regions innervated by midbrain and thalamic axons in the adult opossum. There is some evidence that spinal, mesencephalic and diencephalic axons follow a caudal to rostral gradient in their intraolivary growth. Lesions which undercut neurites growing out of the cerebellum produce evidence for cerebello-olivary connections by day 17. Axons from the cerebral cortex reach their olivary targets considerably later than those from either the spinal cord, mesencephalon, diencephalon or cerebellum. It is not until approximately postnatal day 30 (55 mm, snout-rump length) that degenerating axons can be traced into the olive after lesions of the cortical mantle. These data indicate that the inferior olive receives major connections early in development and that there is an orderly sequence to their growth.This investigation was supported by U.S.P.H.S. Grants NS-07410 and NS-08798 and The West Virginia University Medical Corporation.     

Bioscreening of Australian olive mill waste extracts: biophenol content, antioxidant, antimicrobial and molluscicidal activities.

The biophenolic fraction was characterized in olive mill waste (OMW) obtained as a by-product from processing of Mission and Frantoio olive fruit. OMW produced from the Mission fruit contained higher total phenol content. Individual biophenols with the exception of verbascoside and a hydroxytyrosol-secoiridoid were also present at higher concentrations in the OMW produced from Mission cultivar. Antioxidant activities were measured in aqueous (DPPH) and emulsion (BCBT) systems. The Frantoio extract was more active than the Mission extract in the DPPH assay - EC(50) values were 28.3+/-1.7 ppm and 34.7+/-1.7 ppm, respectively. Activities were reversed in the BCBT, with the Mission extract (EC(50) 60.6+/-2.3 ppm) more potent than the Frantoio extract (EC(50) 79.9+/-2.0 ppm), and this may be related to the more lipophilic nature of the Mission extract. Both extracts showed broad spectrum antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; whereas individual biophenols (hydroxytyrosol, luteolin, oleuropein) showed more limited activity. Molluscicidal activity was measured against Isidorella newcombi and LD(50) values were 424 ppm and 541 ppm for Mission and Frantoio extracts, respectively. The results suggest that OMW may be utilised as a source of bioactive compounds.