After the plaque burst, the number of immune cells that calm down inflammation went up — like the body’s way of trying to fix the damage after the explosion.
Scientific Claim
In apolipoprotein E-knockout mice, the proportion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) increases from 7.42% to 10.38% (p<0.05) in splenocytes after plaque rupture, suggesting a compensatory anti-inflammatory response triggered by acute plaque disruption.
Original Statement
“The proportion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs decreased significantly in vulnerable plaques (at 6 weeks)... however, the proportion of Tregs was elevated with plaque rupture... (14 weeks: 8.97%±0.74% vs 7.42%±1.35%, P<0.05).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The study presents Treg changes as a consequence of rupture, not a cause, and uses appropriate statistical language. No overstatement of causality is made.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (0)
Contradicting (1)
This study found that after plaque rupture, the immune cells that calm inflammation (Tregs) didn’t increase at all — contrary to what the claim says. Instead, it found more of the cells that make inflammation worse.