study of the blood-brain barrier transport of bioactives from Mediterranean foods.

The Mediterranean diet (MD), characterized by olive oil, olives, fruits, vegetables, and wine intake, is associated with a reduced risk of dementia. These foods are rich in bioactives with neuroprotective and antioxidant properties, including hydroxytyrosol (HT), tyrosol (TYRS), serotonin (SER) and protocatechuic acid (PCA), a phenolic acid metabolite of anthocyanins. It remains to be established if these molecules cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a complex interface that strictly controls the entrance of molecules into the brain.

Hydroxytyrosol and dopamine metabolites: Anti-aggregative effect and neuroprotective activity against α-synuclein-induced toxicity.

The abnormal aggregation of the α-synuclein (αsyn) protein is involved in the formation of Lewy bodies in the brain of patients suffering from Parkinson disease (PD). Hydroxytyrosol (HT), a polyphenolic compound present in olives, olive oil, and wine, has been shown to inhibit aggregation and destabilise the αsyn aggregates, preventing neuronal cell death. However, very limited data have been published on the study of its metabolites.

Hydroxytyrosol in Foods: Analysis, Food Sources, EU Dietary Intake, and Potential Uses.

Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is a phenolic compound with proven biological properties present in a limited number of foods such as table olives, virgin olive oil (VOO) and wines. The present work aims to evaluate the dietary intake of HT in the European (EU) population by compiling scattered literature data on its concentration in foods. The consumption of the involved foods was estimated based on the EFSA Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database.

Anti-VEGF Effect of Bioactive Indolic Compounds and Hydroxytyrosol Metabolites.

Angiogenesis is a key process involved in both cancer and cardiovascular diseases, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) being the main triggers. The aim of this study was to determine the molecular mechanism underlying the potent inhibition of VEGF signaling by hydroxytyrosol (HT) metabolites and indolic compounds and establish a relation between their structure and bioactivity. Experiments involved the evaluation of their potential to inhibit VEGF on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by ELISA assay and their subsequent effect on the downstream signaling pathway (PLCγ1, Akt, and endothelial nitric oxide synthetase (eNOS)) by Western blot.

Isotopic labelling-based analysis elucidates biosynthesis pathways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for Melatonin, Serotonin and Hydroxytyrosol formation.

Yeasts can synthetise bioactive compounds such as Melatonin (MEL), Serotonin (SER) and Hydroxytyrosol (HT). Deciphering the mechanisms involved in their formation can lead to exploit this fact to increase the bioactive potential of fermented beverages. Quantitative analysis using labelled compounds, 15-N2 l-tryptophan and 13-C tyrosine, allowed tracking the formation of the above-mentioned bioactive compounds during the alcoholic fermentation of synthetic must by two different Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains.

Hydroxytyrosol Decreases LPS- and α-Synuclein-Induced Microglial Activation In Vitro.

Neuroinflammation is a common feature shared by neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), and seems to play a key role in their development and progression. Microglia cells, the principal orchestrators of neuroinflammation, can be polarized in different phenotypes, which means they are able to have anti-inflammatory, pro-inflammatory, or neurodegenerative effects. Increasing evidence supports that the traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern is related to the reduction of cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases.

Melatonin, protocatechuic acid and hydroxytyrosol effects on vitagenes system against alpha-synuclein toxicity.

Preventing the abnormal assembly of α-synuclein (α-Syn) and the correct modulation of vitagenes system exercise strong neuroprotective effects. It has been reported that melatonin (MEL), protocatechuic acid (PCA) and hydroxytyrosol (HT) reduce α-Syn toxicity. Their effect on the vitagenes system of PC12 cells have not been explored yet.