Scientists from the University of Porto in Portugal have found that the antioxidant properties of olive oil may improve the effectiveness of the treatment of neuroblastoma, a malignant neoplasm that develops from the precursor cells of the nervous system, neuroblasts, reads a study published in the Nutrients journal, Report informs.
The article noted that neuroblastoma mainly affects children under the age of five. Typically, the disease is caused by a genetic mutation that occurs during early development. At the same time, oxidative stress in the body can accelerate the growth of tumors from neuroblasts - germ cells that normally turn into neurons.
The study by Portuguese scientists is a review of existing, specially selected scientific papers studying the properties of olive oil. The review found that the phenolic compound OLE contained in this product, as well as its fermentation product called HT, may reduce oxidative stress in the body.
Scientists explained that these substances can protect the body's cells from damage by free radicals - chemical particles that accumulate during natural metabolism. This action is also associated with an antitumor effect. This means that the use of olive oil as an element of complex therapy can increase the effectiveness of drug treatment for neuroblastoma and reduce the likelihood of metastasis.