Activity of olive oil phenols on lymphomonocyte cytosolic calcium

Phenols, present in the Mediterranean diet, have antioxidant properties and are free radical scavengers; however, the molecular mechanisms of their beneficial effects are not yet fully understood. The level of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+](i)) is an important signal also in nonexcitable cells, including immune cells, and regulates fundamental processes. In this paper, we determine [Ca2+](i) in human lymphomonocytes incubated with two olive oil phenols: 3,4-(dihydroxyphenyl)ethanol and p-(hydroxyphenyl)ethanol. Both tested phenols increase [Ca2+](i) in a dose-dependent way. This effect is antagonized by nifedipine and is noticeable both in the presence and in the absence of calcium in the extracellular medium. (C) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.