Mice that got the supplement had smaller livers compared to mice that didn't get it.
Scientific Claim
N-acetylcysteine supplementation reduced liver weight by approximately 1.7-fold in male C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet compared to untreated high-fat diet mice.
Original Statement
“Results in Fig. 5a show that liver weight in HFD-fed mice was 1.7-fold higher than that of animals fed a chow food. NAC treatment reduced liver weight in mice fed either a chow or an HFD.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
overstated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The study shows an association between NAC and reduced liver weight in mice, but cannot prove causation due to study design limitations. The phrase 'reduced liver weight' is somewhat definitive for this study design.
More Accurate Statement
“N-acetylcysteine supplementation was associated with reduced liver weight in male C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet compared to untreated high-fat diet mice.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
N-acetylcysteine Protects Mice from High Fat Diet-induced Metabolic Disorders