Olive oil: research model to clarify its health benefits and its unique mechanism of action

The uniqueness of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) convincing evidence that its intake has many health aspects by increased longevity and prevention of many age-associated non infectious diseases such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, Twenty-four rats were divided into 4 groups (6 rats each), as a following: Control group, EVOO group: rats were oral administrated with EVOO at a dose of 1ml/100g body weight for two weeks, Irradiated group (IR): rats were exposed to 6Gy of whole body γ-radiation; EVOO and IR group: rats were oral administrated with EVOO for two weeks prior to irradiation (6Gy). EVOO successfully reduces cellular destruction, chromosomal aberrations, pro-inflammatory markers interleukin-1β (IL-1β),and ameliorates heart and coronary arteries tissues damages, accompanied by lowering Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF),Total Cholesterol (TC) and Triglyceride levels (TG). Therefore, EVOO provided adequate protection for cells against exposure to harmful ionizing irradiation (6 Gy).