Giving the antioxidant NAC to mice with heart failure didn't help their heart's pumping ability improve, even though it reduced some scarring.
Scientific Claim
N-acetylcysteine treatment did not significantly improve ejection fraction or fractional shortening in a mouse model of heart failure with cardiac-specific MST-1 overexpression.
Original Statement
“Ejection fraction and fractional shortening were 29% and 38% less, respectively, in MST‐1 mice receiving saline compared to WT mice receiving saline (P < 0.01; Table 2), and NAC treatment had minimal effect on ejection fraction and fractional shortening in MST‐1 mice (P > 0.76; Table 2).”
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 claim correctly states the lack of significant effect on cardiac function in this specific mouse model without overgeneralizing.
More Accurate Statement
“N-acetylcysteine treatment was not associated with significant improvement in ejection fraction or fractional shortening in a mouse model of heart failure with cardiac-specific MST-1 overexpression.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
N‐acetylcysteine attenuates the development of cardiac fibrosis and remodeling in a mouse model of heart failure