CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. The Mediterranean diet is renowned for its cardiovascular benefits, largely attributed to extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and its phenolic compounds, particularly hy-droxytyrosol (HT). HT, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, has demonstrated signif-icant therapeutic potential in mitigating myocardial damage following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, there is a notable lack of published evidence regarding the effects of HT admin-istration in the context of acute ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, making this study a novel contri-bution to the field. This study aimed to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of HT using the Langendorff technique in an isolated mouse heart ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model. Mice were administered a single intraperitoneal dose of HT (10 mg/kg) 24 hours prior to I/R protocols, and parameters such as infarct size, mitochondrial function, and redox balance were assessed. Results revealed a remarkable 57% reduction in infarct size in HT-treated mice compared to untreated controls. HT treatment also improved mitochondrial bioenergetics, as evi-denced by increased membrane potential (ΔΨm), enhanced oxygen consumption, and reduced hy-drogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production. Furthermore, HT restored the activity of mitochondrial respir-atory complexes, notably Complex I, even under I/R conditions. These findings highlight the efficacy of HT in reducing oxidative stress and preserving mitochondrial function, critical factors in cardiac disease. In conclusion, HT emerges as a promising therapeutic agent for ischemic heart disease, demonstrating both preventive and restorative potential. Future research should explore its clinical applicability to advance cardiovascular disease management.