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Triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins derived from healthy donors fed different olive oils modulate cytokine secretion and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in macrophages: the potential role of oleanolic acid

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Abstract

Purpose

Current evidence suggests that consumption of virgin olive oil (VOO) helps to protect against the development of atherosclerosis and that minor components such as oleanolic acid contribute to this effect. In this study, the effects of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) derived from olive oil on inflammatory processes in macrophages and how they are modulated by oleanolic acid was investigated.

Methods

TRLs isolated from healthy volunteers 2 and 4 h after a test meal containing VOO, pomace olive oil (POO) (the second pressing of olive oil, enriched in minor components) or POO enriched with oleanolic acid (OPOO) were incubated with macrophages derived from the human monocyte cell line, THP-1.

Results

All types of TRLs caused a decrease of about 50% in the secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) by the cells. Interleukin (IL)-6 secretion was also significantly decreased by 2 and 4 h VOO TRLs and by 4 h OPOO TRLs. In contrast, increased IL-1β secretion was observed with all 2 h TRL types, and increased tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production with 2 h VOO and POO, but not OPOO, TRLs. TRLs isolated after 4 h, however, had no significant effects on TNF-α secretion and increased IL-1β secretion only when they were derived from VOO. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA expression was strongly down-regulated by all types of TRLs, but protein expression was significantly depressed only by 4 h OPOO TRLs.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that TRLs derived from olive oil influence inflammatory processes in macrophages and suggest that oleanolic acid may have beneficial effects.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CICYT, AGL2005-00572 and AGL2008-02285) and RETICS (RD06/0045/002). We should like to thank Mirela Rada for the supply of oleanolic acid and Emilio Montero for help with obtaining the serum samples.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Royal College St, London, NW1 0TU, UK

    V. S. Graham, C. Lawson, C. P. D. Wheeler-Jones & K. M. Botham

  2. Instituto de la Grasa (IG-CSIC), Av. Padre Garcia Tejero, 4.41012, Seville, Spain

    J. S. Perona & V. Ruiz-Gutierrez

Authors
  1. V. S. Graham
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  2. C. Lawson
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  3. C. P. D. Wheeler-Jones
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  4. J. S. Perona
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Correspondence to K. M. Botham.

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Graham, V.S., Lawson, C., Wheeler-Jones, C.P.D. et al. Triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins derived from healthy donors fed different olive oils modulate cytokine secretion and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in macrophages: the potential role of oleanolic acid. Eur J Nutr 51, 301–309 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0215-2

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