Olive oil vascular benefits have been attributed to hydroxytyrosol (HT). However, HT biological actions are still debated because it is extensively metabolized into glucuronides (GCs). The aim of this study was to test HT and GC vasculoprotective effects and the underlying mechanisms using aorta rings from 8-week-old male Wistar rats. In the absence of oxidative stress, incubation with 100 mu M HT or GC for 5 min did not exert any vasorelaxing effect and did not influence the vascular function. Conversely, in condition of oxidative stress [upon incubation with 500 mu M tent-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP) for 30 min], preincubation with HT or GC improved acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation compared with untreated samples (no t-BHP). This protective effect was lost for GC, but not for HT, when a washing step (15 min) was introduced between preincubation with HT or GC and t-BHP addition, suggesting that only HT enters the cells. In agreement, bilitranslocase inhibition with 100 mu M phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride for 20 min reduced significantly HT, but not GC, effect on the vascular function upon stress induction. Moreover, GC protective effect (improvement of endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine) in oxidative stress conditions was reduced by preincubation of aorta rings with 300 mu M D-saccharolactone to inhibit beta-glucuronidase, which can deconjugate polyphenols. Finally, only HT was detected by high-pressure liquid chromatography in aorta rings incubated with GC and t-BHP. These results suggest that, in conditions of oxidative stress, GC can be deconjugated into FIT that is transported through the cell membrane by bilitranslocase to protect vascular function.