Oleic Acid Damages Ion Transport and Promotes Alveolar Edema: The Dark Side of Healthy Living

Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid found in large quantities in olive oil. Numerous studies indicate that a diet rich in olive oil decreases the development of atherosclerosis and lowers serum cholesterol by diminishing oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators while promoting antioxidant defenses (1). Oleic acid is the main ingredient of Lorenzo's oil, which may delay the onset of adrenoleulodystrophy in young boys. Finally, olives (and thus oleic acid) are important ingredients of the healthy Mediterranean diet. On the other hand, patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome have elevated serum levels of oleic acid (2), and infusion of oleic acid in animals results in an acute lung injury-type syndrome (3).