The Short-Term Effect of Olive Oil Extract Enriched with Hydroxytyrosol on Cardiovascular Function

Olive is rich in polyphenols such as hydroxytyrosol (HT) that have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we examined the short-term effects of olive oil extract (OE) enriched with HT on left atrial function, left ventricular (LV) function, and arterial elastic properties in patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD). Sixty-one patients with chronic CAD were enrolled. This randomized study had a two-period, two-sequence crossover (AB/BA) design. Group AB (n = 32) initially received OE capsules (500 mg) enriched with HT (5 mg) (two capsules/day) for 30 days, and after a wash out of 48 h, placebo for another 30 days. The opposite occurred in Group BA (n = 29). Exclusion criteria included age >70 years, diabetes, anemia, hypertension, liver and thyroid disease, malignancy, autoimmune disease, kidney disease, use of corticosteroids, weight loss, excessive exercise dietary intervention, and use of antioxidant vitamins. Patients underwent echocardiography/Doppler and applanation tonometry applied to radial artery at the beginning and end of the study. No significant change regarding Vmax, Vp, Vmin, E wave, A wave, deceleration time, LV ejection fraction, central aortic systolic and pulse pressure, and augmentation index. However, a trend toward improvement of E/e' (P = .062) and pulse wave velocity (P = .091) was observed. Use of OE enriched with HT for a limited time period was associated with a trend toward improvement of LV diastolic function and aortic elastic properties in chronic CAD patients. Studies of longer duration are needed to delineate the effect of this promising agent on cardiovascular function and outcomes in chronic CAD.