Mice eating olive oil and nuts had fewer fat-filled immune cells in their blood than mice eating butter, which may help prevent artery damage.

Scientific Claim

In male Ldlr–/– mice, substitution of saturated fat with unsaturated fat (EVOND) was associated with a significant reduction in lipid accumulation in circulating CD36+ monocytes, as measured by decreased side scatter and Nile red staining, suggesting altered monocyte foam cell formation in vivo.

Original Statement

“The SSC value was significantly lower, indicating less lipid accumulation, in monocytes from mice on EVOND vs. WD (Figure 3B). Nile red staining for lipids confirmed FM formation in the circulation of mice fed WD and less lipid staining in monocytes of mice on EVOND vs. WD (Figure 3B).”

From study:Replacing Saturated Fat With Unsaturated Fat in Western Diet Reduces Foamy Monocytes and Atherosclerosis in Male Ldlr-/- Mice.

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 measures cellular lipid content in a controlled diet comparison, but lacks mechanistic proof (e.g., knockout models) to confirm causation. 'Associated with' is appropriate.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Replacing Saturated Fat With Unsaturated Fat in Western Diet Reduces Foamy Monocytes and Atherosclerosis in Male Ldlr-/- Mice.

Cohort Study

Animal

2020 Jan

Switching from unhealthy saturated fats to healthy unsaturated fats like olive oil and nuts made the immune cells in the mice’s blood less fatty and less likely to contribute to artery clogging.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Replacing Saturated Fat With Unsaturated Fat in Western Diet Reduces Foamy Monocytes and Atherosclerosis in Male Ldlr-/- Mice.

Score: 15

DOI: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.119.313078

Similar Assertions

The immune cells in mice eating olive oil and nuts had fewer 'danger signals' on their surface than those eating a fatty Western diet, making them less likely to trigger inflammation.

77%

When immune cells from mice eating olive oil and nuts were tested in a dish, they absorbed less of the bad cholesterol that clogs arteries than cells from mice eating butter.

71%

The plaques in mice eating olive oil and nuts had fewer inflammatory immune cells inside them than plaques in mice eating a fatty diet.

71%

When immune cells from mice eating olive oil and nuts were provoked in a lab, they released less of the inflammatory chemicals than cells from mice eating butter.

71%