Fig. 2.

Biological effects of HT on inflammation, oxidative stress and cholesterol pathways. (1) Hydroxytyrosol reduces NF-kB activation causing a depletion at mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory genes such as MCP-1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, E-selectin and P-selectin. (2) In addition, HT pre-treatment rescues SOD activity and reduces lipid peroxide production. Importantly, a positive effect on the mitochondria has been manifested by an increase of the mitochondrial ATP synthase activity. (3) Moreover, the expression of ABCA1, a transporter enrolled in cholesterol homeostasis (HDL-chol synthesis), is increased after HT treatment. (4) Finally, Akt1 activation by HT improved the NO levels in endothelial cells.