Extra Virgin Olive Oil Phenols Vasodilate Rat MesentericResistance Artery via Phospholipase C (PLC)-CalciumMicrodomains-Potassium Channels (BK) Signals.

Recent evidence suggests that the reason Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of developing hypertension is partly due to minor components of EVOO, such as phenols. However, little is still known about the mechanism(s) through which EVOO phenols mediate anti-hypertensive effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms of action of EVOO phenols on mesenteric resistance arteries.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Phenols Dilate the Rat Mesenteric Artery by Activation of BK Channels in Smooth Muscle Cells.

Accumulating evidence has shown the beneficial health effects of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) consumption in reducing blood pressure and preventing the risk of developing hypertension. Some studies associate the hypotensive activity of EVOO to a minor component-the phenols. This study was designed to investigate the effects of EVOO phenols on the rat resistance mesenteric artery (MA) and to find out the possible vascular pathways involved.