Olive oil and health: summary of the II international conference on olive oil and health consensus report, Jaén and Córdoba (Spain) 2008.

Olive oil (OO) is the most representative food of the traditional Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet). Increasing evidence suggests that monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) as a nutrient, OO as a food, and the MedDiet as a food pattern are associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. A MedDiet rich in OO and OO per se has been shown to improve cardiovascular risk factors, such as lipid profiles, blood pressure, postprandial hyperlipidemia, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and antithrombotic profiles. Some of these beneficial effects can be attributed to the OO minor components. Therefore, the definition of the MedDiet should include OO. Phenolic compounds in OO have shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, prevent lipoperoxidation, induce favorable changes of lipid profile, improve endothelial function, and disclose antithrombotic properties. Observational studies from Mediterranean cohorts have suggested that dietary MUFA may be protective against age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Recent studies consistently support the concept that the OO-rich MedDiet is compatible with healthier aging and increased longevity. In countries where the population adheres to the MedDiet, such as Spain, Greece and Italy, and OO is the principal source of fat, rates of cancer incidence are lower than in northern European countries. Experimental and human cellular studies have provided new evidence on the potential protective effect of OO on cancer. Furthermore, results of case-control and cohort studies suggest that MUFA intake including OO is associated with a reduction in cancer risk (mainly breast, colorectal and prostate cancers).

International conference on the healthy effect of virgin olive oil.

1. Ageing represents a great concern in developed countries because the number of people involved and the pathologies related with it, like atherosclerosis, morbus Parkinson, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, cognitive decline, diabetes and cancer. 2. Epidemiological studies suggest that a Mediterranean diet (which is rich in virgin olive oil) decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease. 3. The Mediterranean diet, rich in virgin olive oil, improves the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as the lipoprotein profile, blood pressure, glucose metabolism and antithrombotic profile. Endothelial function, inflammation and oxidative stress are also positively modulated. Some of these effects are attributed to minor components of virgin olive oil. Therefore, the definition of the Mediterranean diet should include virgin olive oil. 4. Different observational studies conducted in humans have shown that the intake of monounsaturated fat may be protective against age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. 5. Microconstituents from virgin olive oil are bioavailable in humans and have shown antioxidant properties and capacity to improve endothelial function. Furthermore they are also able to modify the haemostasis, showing antithrombotic properties. 6. In countries where the populations fulfilled a typical Mediterranean diet, such as Spain, Greece and Italy, where virgin olive oil is the principal source of fat, cancer incidence rates are lower than in northern European countries. 7. The protective effect of virgin olive oil can be most important in the first decades of life, which suggests that the dietetic benefit of virgin olive oil intake should be initiated before puberty, and maintained through life. 8. The more recent studies consistently support that the Mediterranean diet, based in virgin olive oil, is compatible with a healthier ageing and increased longevity. However, despite the significant advances of the recent years, the final proof about the specific mechanisms and contributing role of the different components of virgin olive oil to its beneficial effects requires further investigations.

[The effect of the angiotensinogen M235T and the angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphisms on arterial hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors]. / Influencia de los polimorfismos M235T del angiotensinógeno e I/D de la enzima conversiva de la angiotensina sobre la hipertensión arterial y otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported the association between M235T angiotensinogen (AGT) and I/D angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms and hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors. However there are few data about Spanish population. So that we have studied the relationship among the aforementioned polymorphisms and hypertension and the possibility of association between any polymorphism and a worse cardiovascular risk profile. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 251 hypertensive and 245 control normotensive subjects were studied. The M235T AGT and the I/D ACE gene polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Family and personal history of cardiovascular disease, lipoprotein profile, microalbuminuria and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) by Sokolow index were analyzed in hypertensive patients. RESULTS: The distribution of the different polymorphisms was similar among hypertensive and normotensive subjects. There was not any relationship among AGT nor ACE genotypes and target organ damage. The II ACE genotype was associated with higher lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]) levels and greater cerebrovascular disease family history and the MT AGT genotype with lower total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) levels. CONCLUSIONS: In our study there was not any relationship between arterial hypertension and M235T AGT or I/D ACE gene polymorphisms. None specific genotype was associated with worse cardiovascular risk profile. The II ACE genotype was a predictor of cerebrovascular disease risk through higher levels of Lp(a) and the MT AGT genotype was associated with a better lipid profile.

[Transmembrane Na+ transport kinetics in arterial hypertension: relations with vascular risk parameters]. / Cinética del transporte transmembranoso de Na+ en la hipertensión arterial: relación con los parámetros de riesgo vascular.

BACKGROUND: To characterize the possible existence of kinetic anomalies of four erythrocyte membrane sodium transport systems in a group of essential hypertensive patients, and to study the clinical and biochemical profile of those with anomalies. METHODS: We studied 33 essential hypertensive patients and 33 normotensive controls. The kinetics (maximal rate and apparent dissociation constant for internal sodium) of Na(+)-K+ pump, Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport and Na(+)-Li+ countertransport was calculated after a sodium loading procedure, according to the methods of Garay; the passive Na+ permeability was also determined. RESULTS: The studied kinetic parameters were not significantly different in both groups. Nevertheless, we found a group of hypertensive patients with some transport abnormalities: increased intracellular sodium (9.1%), accelerated Na+ passive permeability (9.1%), lower activity of the Na(+)-K+ pump (7.1%) and the Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport (4%) and an increased maximal rate of the Na(+)-Li+ countertransport (11.8%). Na+Li+ countertransport activity was statistically related to plasma levels of urea, creatinine, glucose and LDL-cholesterol, and the activity of the Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport was related to plasma uric acid. The hypertensive patients with sodium transport anomalies showed higher body mass index, uric acid plasma levels and atherogenic index than those without these kind of anomalies, and they also showed lowered HDL-cholesterol plasma levels. CONCLUSIONS: A small group of essential hypertensive patients (around 31%) show kinetic alterations of sodium transport systems. There is a relation between Na(+)-Li+ countertransport activity and some cardiovascular risk parameters. Hypertensive patients with transport anomalies are a group with an increased cardiovascular risk.

[Influence of arterial pressure and plasma renin activity on tubular reabsorption of sodium]. / Influencia de la presión arterial y de la actividad de renina plasmática sobre la reabsorción tubular de sodio.

BACKGROUND: With the aim of confirming the possible existence of an increase in the fractional proximal reabsorption of sodium in the development of essential hypertension, the tubular dynamics of sodium were compared by the lithium clearance technique in a group of hypertensive patients and controls. METHODS: Following a week of drug suspension 186 patients with slight or moderate essential hypertension and 37 normal subjects with homogeneous sodium ingestion were studied. A clearing period of 90 minutes prior to the administration of a tracing doses of lithium was considered to calculate the fractional proximal and distal reabsorption of sodium in terms of glomerular filtration. In addition to global comparison of the measurements, the hypertensives were classified and compared according to mean arterial pressure (MAP) and percentages of plasma renin activity (PRA). RESULTS: No differences were found in tubular dynamics of sodium between hypertensive and normotensive patients. Neither did the degree of hypertension induce differences. However, upon classifying the patients according to PRA, it was found that those with PRA higher than 0.5 ng/ml-1/h-1 had less secondary natriuresis to a greater fractional distal reabsorption of sodium (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the this study do not support the possible existence of a primary defect of the transport of sodium in the proximal tubule in the origin and/or maintenance of essential arterial hypertension.

[Renovascular hypertension and Takayasu disease]. / Hipertensión vasculorrenal y enfermedad de Takayasu.

We present three cases of Takayasu disease which were peculiar because all three of them first manifested as vasculorenal hypertension. The pathogenic mechanisms of hypertension in this disease are reviewed, being renal arteries stenosis the most important mechanism. The great prognostic and therapeutic implications of hypertension in these patients made us suggest the performance of arteriographies of supraaortic trunks in all cases of vasculorenal arterial hypertension associated to certain clinical, analytical and/or arteriographic criteria which are mentioned.

[The influence of changes in the blood pressure and plasma renin activity on the natriuretic effect of nifedipine]. / Influencia de las modificaciones tensionales y de la actividad de renina plasmática sobre el efecto natriurético de nifedipino.

BACKGROUND: The possible influence of the variations in blood pressure and the plasma renin activity (PRA) after the administration of nifedipine (NIF) on the natriuretic effect of this calcium antagonist were evaluated. METHODS: The differences in the values of sodium excretion and tubular reabsorption were evaluated in 18 patients with essential hypertension with the method of the lithium clearance before and after the administration of a sublingual NIF dose. RESULTS: An increase in sodium excretion at the expense of a smaller distal reabsorption was found after NIF administration, without differences in patients with (n = 9) or without (n = 9) increase in PRA after NIF administration. The differences in several parameters when patients were classified depending on whether their mean blood pressure was reduced (n = 8) in more than 10% or not (n = 10) 90 minutes after NIF administration are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Natriuresis induced by nifedipine is due to a diminished distal reabsorption of sodium. This effect is independent of PRA or its changes. On the other hand, the differences found in subgroups with different blood pressure response support the hypothesis that there are two populations of patients with essential hypertension depending on their acute response to calcium antagonists.

[Differences in the renal handling of sodium according to the response to captopril]. / Diferencias en el manejo renal de sodio según la respuesta al captopril.

We study the modifications of sodium tubular resorption, measured by lithium clearance after a single dosage of sublingual captopril, administered to 24 patients afflicted with nonfiltration after captopril produced an increase of proximal resorption of sodium, compensated by minor distal resorption, keeping a constant natriuresis. The different effects of captopril on blood pressure create 2 groups: a) patients who showed a decrease of blood pressure (n = 14), where a fall of distal resorption of sodium simultaneous with an increase of fractional sodium excretion was registered, and b) patients who did not experience changes in blood pressure nor changes after tubular function tests.