Steven R. Smith

Microbial Feast or Famine: dietary carbohydrate composition and gut microbiota metabolic function

This study uses metatranscriptomic data to analyze how dietary composition affects gut microbiota function, finding that a fiber-rich diet promotes beneficial metabolic pathways while a low-fiber diet increases harmful protein and mucin degradation.

Cysteine depletion triggers adipose tissue thermogenesis and weight-loss.

This study shows that cysteine depletion induces adipose browning and weight loss in mice, mediated by noradrenaline signaling via β3-adrenergic receptors, without requiring UCP1.

Hormetic elevation of taurine restrains inflammaging by deactivating the NLRP3 inflammasome.

This study shows that elevated taurine reduces age-related inflammation by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis in mice.

Methanogens are associated with altered microbial production of short-chain fatty acids and human-host metabolizable energy

This study investigates the relationship between methanogens and human metabolizable energy, finding that high CH4 producers have greater serum propionate and host ME, and a network link between methanogens and fiber-degrading bacteria.

Comprehensive interrogation of human skeletal muscle reveals a dissociation between insulin resistance and mitochondrial capacity

This study compares mitochondrial capacity and related molecular features in skeletal muscle across lean active, obese, and obese-insulin resistant T2D individuals, finding no difference between obese with and without T2D but higher capacity in lean active individuals.

The Presence of Myelinated Nerves and Schwann Cells in White Adipose Tissue: Proximity to Synaptic Vesicle Containing Nerve Terminals and Potential Role in BTBR ob/ob Demyelinating Diabetic Neuropathy

The paper investigates the presence of myelinated nerves and Schwann cells in white adipose tissue, finding demyelination in obese BTBR ob/ob mice and its association with neuropathy.

HDAC11 Suppresses the Thermogenic Program of Adipose Tissue via BRD2

This study shows that HDAC11 suppresses thermogenic programs in adipose tissue via BRD2, leading to improved metabolic outcomes in HDAC11-deficient mice.