MPO and endothelial dysfunction: The results of the present study suggest that HQ-EVOO is an important component of the anti-inflammatory action of MD, since MPO (a reliable marker of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction), 8-OHdG (a pro-mutagenic oxidative adduct in the DNA of all tissues and organs), TNFα and IL-6 (cytokines that impair insulin receptor signaling and activate inflammatory cascade) are significantly decreased in both cases and controls subjects.