Atherosclerosis regression study in rabbits upon olive pomace polar lipid extract administration

Background and aims: Virgin olive oil polar lipid extract (OOPL) and olive pomace polar lipid extract (PPL) have similar antiatherosclerotic effects in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Our aim was to compare the effect of PPL with that of simvastatin on the progression of atherogenesis. Methods and results: Rabbits were fed an atherogenic diet for 6 weeks in order to develop dyslipidemia and atheromatous lesions. Following documentation of these events in random animals (group A, n = 6), the remaining were fed for 3 weeks with: standard chow alone (group B, n = 6), chow supplemented with PPL (group C, n = 6), and chow supplemented with simvastatin (group D, n = 6). Blood was collected at 0, 6 and 9 weeks, to determine plasma lipid levels, plasma PAF-AH activity, platelet aggregation (PAF-EC50), resistance of plasma to oxidation (RPO) and extent of atheromatous lesions in aortas. The atherogenic diet induced dyslipidemia and increased PAF-AH activity. Dyslipidemia and PAF-activity reduced more effectively in groups C and D. RPO decreased in group B only. PAF-EC50 values decreased in group C only. Atherogenesis progression in group C was prevented to an extent indistinguishable from that in group D. PAF-AH activity was positively correlated, whereas RPO was negatively correlated with the extent of atheromatous lesions. Conclusion: PPL, as a dietary supplement, is equipotent to simvastatin in preventing the progression of atherogenesis. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.