After the sustained consumption of virgin olive oil (VOO), the unabsorbed native phenols (mainly hydroxytyrosol (HT)) are transformed into its catabolites in the intestine by microbials. The role of these catabolites in preventing colon cancer has not been sufficiently investigated. This work aims to study the antiproliferative and apoptotic activities in colon (Caco-2; HT-29) cancer cell lines of the main catabolites detected in human feces (phenylacetic, phenylpropionic, hydroxyphenylpropionic, and dihydroxyphenylpropionic acids and catechol), after the sustained VOO intake. Additionally, an assessment of the ability of these colonic cells to metabolize the studied compounds was performed. The results showed that HT and phenylacetic and hydroxyphenylpropionic acids produce cell cycle arrest and promote apoptosis. HT-29 cells were more sensitive to phenol treatments than Caco-2. In synthesis, the results of the present study represent a good starting point for understanding the potential apoptotic and antiproliferative effects of VOO phenolic compounds and their colonic metabolites.
Keywords: Caco-2; HT-29; apoptosis; cell cycle; colorectal cancer; hydroxytyrosol; metabolites.