These results provide evidence that olive oil might exert beneficial effects on endothelial function as well as markers of inflammation and endothelial function , thus representing a key ingredient contributing to the cardiovascular-protective effects of a Mediterranean diet .
The aim of the present systematic review was to synthesize data from r and omized controlled trials investigating the effects of olive oil on markers of inflammation or endothelial function .
Endothelial and platelet activation in acute ischemic stroke and its etiological subtypes.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Activation of endothelial cells and platelets is an important mediator of atherothrombosis . Markers of endothelial cell and platelet activation such as soluble adhesion molecules can be measured in plasma . We hypothesized that patients with acute ischemic stroke would have increased blood concentrations of soluble E-selectin and von Willebr and factor ( vWF ) , primarily reflecting activation of endothelial cells , and increased concentrations of soluble P-selectin and platelet-derived microvesicles ( PDM ) , primarily reflecting activation of platelets , compared with healthy controls . We also hypothesized that these markers would be differentially elevated in ischemic stroke caused by large- and small-artery atherothrombosis compared with cardiogenic embolism . METHODS We conducted a case-control study of 200 hospital-referred cases of first-ever ischemic stroke and 205 r and omly selected community controls stratified by age , sex , and postal code . Using established criteria , we classified cases of stroke by etiological subtype in a blinded fashion . The prevalence of vascular risk factors and blood concentrations of E-selectin , P-selectin , vWF antigen , and PDM were determined in stroke cases within 7 days and at 3 to 6 months after stroke and in controls . RESULTS Mean blood concentrations of soluble E-selectin , P-selectin , and PDM within 7 days of stroke onset were all significantly higher in cases compared with controls . At 3 to 6 months after stroke , the mean blood concentrations of E-selectin and P-selectin fell significantly below that of controls , and PDM concentrations remained elevated . There was a strong , grade d , and independent ( of age , sex , and vascular risk factors ) association between increasing blood concentrations of E-selectin during the acute phase and all etiological subtypes of ischemic stroke , particularly ischemic stroke caused by large-artery atherothrombosis . There was also a significant , grade d , and independent association between increasing blood concentrations of vWF during the acute phase and ischemic stroke caused by large-artery atherothrombosis . CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated significant associations between acute elevation of blood markers of endothelial cell and platelet activation and ischemic stroke and between acute elevation of blood markers of endothelial cell activation and ischemic stroke caused by large-artery atherothrombosis . Persistent elevated blood concentrations of PDM may be a marker of increased risk of ischemic stroke
These results provide evidence that olive oil might exert beneficial effects on endothelial function as well as markers of inflammation and endothelial function , thus representing a key ingredient contributing to the cardiovascular-protective effects of a Mediterranean diet .
The aim of the present systematic review was to synthesize data from r and omized controlled trials investigating the effects of olive oil on markers of inflammation or endothelial function .