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Back to Study: FFAR4 Deficiency Increases Necrotic Cores in Advan...
descriptive
Analysis v1
9
Pro
0
Against

Mice without FFAR4 develop plaques with bigger dead-cell cores as their disease gets worse, which might mean FFAR4 helps keep plaques from becoming dangerous.

Scientific Claim

FFAR4 deficiency in ApoE−/− mice is associated with increased necrotic core formation in advanced atherosclerotic lesions, suggesting a potential role for FFAR4 in stabilizing plaques.

Original Statement

“These data suggest a novel role for FFAR4 in reducing necrotic core lesion formation and support a protective role for FFAR4 in stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques.”

From study:FFAR4 Deficiency Increases Necrotic Cores in Advanced Lesions of ApoE−/− Mice—Brief Report

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

overstated

Study Design Support

Design cannot support claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

Based on abstract only - full methodology not available to verify. The abstract uses 'suggest' and 'support', but the claim rephrases as definitive. Causation cannot be established; 'associated with' and 'potential role' are appropriate.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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9

FFAR4 Deficiency Increases Necrotic Cores in Advanced Lesions of ApoE−/− Mice—Brief Report

Cohort Study
Animal
2025 May

When mice lack a protein called FFAR4, their artery plaques develop bigger dead-cell areas (necrotic cores), which makes the plaques more dangerous—even though the plaques aren’t bigger overall. This suggests FFAR4 helps keep plaques stable.

Contradicting (0)

0
No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

FFAR4 Deficiency Increases Necrotic Cores in Advanced Lesions of ApoE−/− Mice—Brief Report

Score: 9
DOI: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.124.322371

Similar Assertions

When mice lack a specific receptor called FFAR4 and eat a high-fat diet, their artery plaques develop bigger dead-cell areas inside, which makes the plaques more dangerous.

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Male mice without the FFAR4 receptor develop bigger artery plaques in one specific area (the aortic arch) after eating a high-fat diet for 16 weeks, but female mice don't show this difference.

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After eating a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, male and female mice without FFAR4 had smaller artery plaques in the aortic sinus, but not in the aortic arch — suggesting FFAR4 might affect early plaque growth differently.

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Even though the overall size of the plaque in the heart’s main artery didn’t change in mice without FFAR4 after 16 weeks, the dead-cell core inside got much bigger — meaning the plaque became more dangerous even if it didn’t grow.

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