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Metabolism

Cysteine deficiency induces rapid weight loss via adipose tissue browning

Nature Reviews Endocrinology volume 21, page 458 (2025)Cite this article

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A new study in Nature Metabolism identifies a mechanism by which depletion of cysteine (a thiol-containing amino acid), which is believed to be essential for systemic metabolism, leads to rapid weight loss and adipose tissue browning.

The researchers first investigated the mechanisms behind the beneficial effects of calorie restriction on metabolism and body weight. Unbiased metabolomics on human subcutaneous adipose tissue samples from participants from the CALERIE-II clinical trial showed statistically significantly reduced levels of cysteine after 1 year of 15% calorie restriction.

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  1. Nature Reviews Endocrinology http://www.nature.com/nrendo/

    Olivia Tysoe

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  1. Olivia Tysoe
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Correspondence to Olivia Tysoe.

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Tysoe, O. Cysteine deficiency induces rapid weight loss via adipose tissue browning. Nat Rev Endocrinol 21, 458 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41574-025-01146-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41574-025-01146-4

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