Impact of dietary supplementation with olive and thyme phenols on alpha-tocopherol concentration in the muscle and liver of adult Wistar rats

A preliminary study to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with olive phenols (oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and secoiridoids), thyme phenols and a combination of these (5 mg per kg rat weight per day) on the alpha-tocopherol concentrations in the muscle and liver of healthy adult Wistar rats over 21 days was conducted. In addition, the excretion of alpha-tocopherol through the faeces was examined. The results demonstrated that the diet supplemented with some phenolic compounds of olive and thyme increased alpha-tocopherol (P < 0.05) in the liver of female rats, although the alpha-tocopherol content in the diet of all groups was identical. In addition, a synergic effect between the olive phenols and thyme was observed. Therefore, our study indicates a protective effect of olive and thyme phenols supplemented in the diet on alpha-tocopherol, resulting in a higher concentration of endogenous alpha-tocopherol in the rat liver.