Activity of olive oil phenols on lymphomonocyte cytosolic calcium

J Nutr Biochem. 2005 Feb;16(2):109-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2004.10.006.

Abstract

Phenols, present in the Mediterranean diet, have antioxidant properties and are free radical scavengers; however, the molecular mechanisms of their beneficial effects are not yet fully understood. The level of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) is an important signal also in nonexcitable cells, including immune cells, and regulates fundamental processes. In this paper, we determine [Ca2+]i in human lymphomonocytes incubated with two olive oil phenols: 3,4-(dihydroxyphenyl)ethanol and p-(hydroxyphenyl)ethanol. Both tested phenols increase [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent way. This effect is antagonized by nifedipine and is noticeable both in the presence and in the absence of calcium in the extracellular medium.

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / administration & dosage
  • Calcium / analysis*
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Calcium Channels / drug effects
  • Cytosol / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes / ultrastructure*
  • Monocytes / drug effects
  • Monocytes / ultrastructure*
  • Nifedipine / pharmacology
  • Olive Oil
  • Phenols / pharmacology*
  • Phenylethyl Alcohol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Phenylethyl Alcohol / pharmacology
  • Plant Oils / chemistry*

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Calcium Channels
  • Olive Oil
  • Phenols
  • Plant Oils
  • 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol
  • 4-hydroxyphenylethanol
  • Nifedipine
  • Phenylethyl Alcohol
  • Calcium