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Project

The role of autophagy in the prevention of oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease by olive polyphenols.

Atherosclerotic plaque rupture is the leading cause of acute cardiovascular syndromes and is responsible for 3.9 million deaths in Europe every year. Preventive strategies are greatly needed to reduce the health care burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Mediterranean diet results in a lower CVD risk, with virgin olive oil as an important element. Many of the health-promoting effects are ascribed to the olive polyphenols (OPs), which have shown to reduce oxidative stress and were recently linked with autophagy. Autophagy is a cellular housekeeping mechanism and autophagy deficiency is detrimental in the development of CVD. Thus, inducing autophagy is likely to be an effective preventive strategy. OPs were identified as natural autophagy inducers, but further research is needed to define the contribution of this mechanism to their antioxidant and atheroprotective effects. Therefore, we will determine the most potent autophagy-inducing OP in endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells and define the underlying molecular mechanisms linked to autophagy. The most potent OP will be selected for further in vivo analysis, in which we will identify its effects on the functionality of healthy blood vessels, CVD prevention and oxidative stress. This project will give insight in the mechanism of action of OPs and is an important step towards the implementation of OP-based nutraceuticals for the prevention of CVD.
Date:1 Nov 2019 →  31 Oct 2021
Keywords:AUTOPHAGY, ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Disciplines:Nutraceuticals, Pharmacotherapy, Cardiology, Vascular diseases, Cell physiology
Project type:Collaboration project