HIV infection is associated with systemic inflammation that is involved in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Treatment of HIV infection may cause lipid profile disturbance and consequently, atherosclerosis progression. In general, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has beneficial effect on atherosclerosis markers. Our goals are to examine the effect of EVOO on atherosclerosis markers in HIV-treated patients. A controlled randomized cross-over study will be performed on 40 participants. They will consume EVOO and ROO (refined olive oil) during two 20 days intervention periods, interrupted with 14 days wash-out period. Before the trial and after both intervention periods we will analyze participants' blood for: ESR, white blood cell count, hsCRP, interleukin-6, oxidized LDL, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, fibrinogen, factor VII and von Willebrand factor. We expect an improvement of these parameters after three weeks of EVOO consumption.

There are many studies about beneficial effect of extra virgin olive oil on atherosclerosis biomarkers. Our study investigates the same, but in population of HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral treatment. The main health benefit of EVOO can be attributed to high content of phenolic compounds, that have a favorable effect on blood pressure, LDL oxidation, platelet aggregation, endothelial function, oxidative stress. We analyzed the total phenolic compounds (PC) in different types of olive oils and decided to use EVOO with four times higher levels of PC than refined olive oil (ROO) which we would use as placebo.

A randomized crossover controlled trial will be performed on 40 participants with signed informed consent. They will be randomly divided in two groups. Each group will consume two types of olive oils (EVOO and ROO) in two intervention periods, but in different order. That means that group "A" will consume EVOO in the first and ROO in the second intervention period. Group "B" has inversed order of olive oil administration. Two intervention periods of 20 days will be interrupted with wash-out period of 14 days. During intervention periods participants will consume daily doses of 50 mL of particular olive oil. During wash-out periods participants should avoid olives and olive oil consumption. Before the first and after each of the two intervention periods, blood will be taken. Some of the tests will be done immediately after blood sample collection (glucose, hsCRP, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, CBC, ESR). For some of the tests (IL-6, von Willebrand factor, factor VII, oxidated LDL, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) the specimens will be collected and stored at -80°C until the analysis.

As many studies showed improvement of these parameters in population affected with atherosclerosis, we could also expect the similar effect in HIV-infected patients who are more likely to develop atherosclerosis, partly because of HIV-infection itself and partly because of side effects of antiretroviral therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• HIV-positive patients receiving antiretroviral drugs
• undetectable HIV viral load in plasma for at least 6 months (by high sensitive Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor, version 1.5)
• glucose level within reference range

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnant HIV-positive women
• HIV-patients with underlying acute/chronic diseases (except cardiovascular)