Nitrogen Headspace Improves the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Shelf-Life, Preserving Its Functional Properties.

The functional foods field has recently evolved due to new research being carried out in the food area and greater regulations; these factors have contributed to the creation of health claims, and to the increasing attention that consumers give to health-promoting food products. The aim of this research was to improve the shelf-life of a typical functional food of the Mediterranean diet, the Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO). We focused our attention on the standardization and validation of a production process, starting from the cultivation and harvesting of the olives, which would guarantee a product of quality in terms of bioactive compound content.

Protective effects of ITF 296 in the isolated rabbit heart subjected to global ischemia.

The anti-ischemic action of ITF 296 was evaluated in isovolumic, electrically driven rabbit heart preparations subjected to temporary ischemia and reperfusion. Reduction of perfusion rate from 20 to 0.2 ml/min produced a sharp decrease of peak systolic pressure, left ventricular (LV)-developed pressure, and LV dP/dt, which culminated in complete ventricular arrest within 3-4 min.

Protective effect of the nitrate ester ITF 296 against methacholine-induced myocardial ischemia in the anesthetized rat.

The activity of ITF 296 against methacholine-induced myocardial ischemia was investigated in anesthetized rats in comparison with the organic nitrates nitroglycerin (NTG) and isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), the K(+)-channel openers nicorandil and cromakalim, the Ca(2+)-channel blocker amlodipine, and the vasodilator dipyridamole. Given as i.v.

Different sensitivity of basilar and saphenous arteries to thromboxane A2-induced contractions. Effect of imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate (ITF 182).

Superfused rings of rabbit basilar arteries are more sensitive than those of saphenous arteries to the contractions induced by a prostaglandin endoperoxide analogue (U-46 619) and by a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) generating system. 5-Hydroxytryptamine aggravates the latter. Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) on the other hand, relaxes only the basilar rings without affecting the saphenous.