Anti-inflammatory effect of virgin olive oil in stable coronary disease patients: a randomized, crossover, controlled trial

Objectives: To assess the effect of two similar olive oils, but with differences in their phenolic compounds ( powerful antioxidant compounds), on inflammatory markers in stable coronary heart disease patients. Design: Placebo-controlled, crossover, randomized trial. Setting: Cardiology Department of Hospital del Mar and Institut Municipal d'Investigacio Medica ( Barcelona). Subjects: Twenty- eight stable coronary heart disease patients. Interventions: A raw daily dose of 50 ml of virgin and refined olive oil ( ROO) was sequentially administered over two periods of 3- weeks, preceded by 2- week washout periods in which ROO was used. Results: Interleukin- 6 ( P<0.002) and C- reactive protein ( P= 0.024) decreased after virgin olive oil intervention. No changes were observed in soluble intercellular and vascular adhesion molecules, glucose and lipid profile. Conclusions: Consumption of virgin olive oil, could provide beneficial effects in stable coronary heart disease patients as an additional intervention to the pharmacological treatment.