Protective effect of olive oil minor polar components against oxidative damage in rats treated with ferric-nitrilotriacetate.

The phenolic fraction of virgin olive oil exerts preventive effects against reactive oxygen species mediated degenerative diseases. To investigate its action as inhibitor of lipid peroxidation in vivo, we treated Wistar rats with olive oil minor polar components (MPC) (25-50 mg/kg bw) prior to the administration of a sublethal dose (15 mg Fe/kg bw) of ferric-nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA). Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of Fe-NTA lead to increased oxidative stress associated with extensive peroxidation of membrane lipids in plasma, kidney, and liver of treated rats. Fe-NTA treatment induced a significant decrease of the major oxidizable membrane lipids, alpha-tocopherol, fatty acids and cholesterol, together with an increase of fatty acids hydroperoxides (HP) and 7-ketocholesterol (7-keto). I.p. administration of MPC significantly inhibited fatty acids and cholesterol oxidation, and reduced the levels of HP and 7-keto. In summary, MPC administration protects organs against lipid peroxidation and conserves the endogenous alpha-tocopherol.