EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL PREVENTS METABOLIC, BEHAVIORAL AND INFLAMMATORY CHANGES IN HIGH-FAT DIET-INDUCED MALE AND FEMALE RATS

The sustained consumption of high-fat diets (HFD) can induce inflammation in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus, a brain region that regulates energy homeostasis and integrates satiety signals. In addition, HFD can cause important metabolic (e.g. increased body weight, leptin levels and changes in the lipid profile) and behavior alterations (e.g. depressive-like behavior and anhedonia). In this scenario, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), a food with several bioactive components, can be an interesting alternative to attenuate the effects caused by a HFD due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-obesogenic, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties.