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

Scientific Claim

In male Ldlr–/– mice, a diet enriched with extra-virgin olive oil and nuts (EVOND) was associated with a 30% reduction in CD11c+ macrophage accumulation within atherosclerotic lesions compared to a Western diet, suggesting altered lesion cellular composition.

Original Statement

“Mice fed EVOND also had significantly less CD11c+ macrophage/dendritic cell accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions compared to mice fed WD (Figures 6C and 6D).”

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 lesion cell content via staining and quantification, but does not prove these cells are causally responsible for reduced plaque size. Association 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

The study found that mice eating a diet with olive oil and nuts had fewer harmful immune cells in their artery plaques than mice eating a typical Western diet, which supports the idea that this healthy diet changes the makeup of artery damage in a good way.

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.

85%

Mice that ate olive oil and nuts instead of butter had less cholesterol and fat in their blood, which might help keep their arteries from getting clogged.

82%

When mice with a genetic predisposition to clogged arteries ate a diet with olive oil and nuts instead of butter and animal fat, their artery plaques got smaller.

78%

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.

74%

Mice eating olive oil and nuts had more of the good fats (like olive oil and nuts) and less of the bad fats (like butter) in their blood than mice eating a typical fatty diet.

73%