Antioxidant activity of 3,4-DHPEA-EA and protocatecuic acid: a comparative assessment with other olive oil biophenols

Abstract Olive oil contains several phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity, whose levels depend strongly on the kind of cultivar grown, fruit ripening effects and the oil extraction process. Therefore, the beneficial effects exerted by olive oil consumption on the resistance of low density lipoproteins (LDLs) to oxidation depend not only on an increased intake of mono-unsaturated fatty acids (e.g. oleate) which are less prone to oxidation, but also phenolic antioxidants. The aim of this study was to analyze in vitro effects exerted on the oxidative modification of Cu-stimulated human LDL by two olive oil biophenols, i.e. 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol-elenolic acid (3,4-DHPEA-EA) and protocatecuic acid. These compounds have not been investigated in as much detail as the better-known olive oil biophenols – such as tyrosol (p-HPEA), o-coumaric acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, oleuropein and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol (3,4-DHPEA). Modification of LDL was tested by measuring the formation of intermediate ...