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.

Scientific Claim

In male Ldlr–/– mice, EVOND feeding was associated with reduced monocyte production of TNFα and IL-1β after LPS stimulation compared to a Western diet, indicating lower inflammatory potential of circulating monocytes.

Original Statement

“Expression levels of TNFα and IL-1β were both significantly lower in monocytes of Ldlr–/– mice on EVOND than on WD (Figure 3E).”

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 assay is controlled and quantitative, but limited to ex vivo stimulation. The association is robust, but causation cannot be inferred beyond the model.

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 a fatty Western diet to one with olive oil and nuts made the immune cells in mice less inflamed and less likely to cause artery damage, which means they produced fewer harmful inflammatory signals.

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.

80%

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.

71%

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.

70%