When scientists grew fat cells with this specific bacteria (Sphingomonas), the cells stopped making a key fat-burning chemical and heat-producing proteins—but when they used a different common bacteria (E. coli), nothing changed.
Scientific Claim
In mice, Sphingomonas paucimobilis directly reduces 15-HETE production in adipocytes in vitro and suppresses expression of UCP1, 12-LOX, and mitochondrial OXPHOS proteins, while E. coli does not produce the same effect.
Original Statement
“treatment with live S. paucimobilis decreased the cellular content of 15‐HETE and 12S‐HETE... S. paucimobilis significantly inhibited the expression of UCP1, 12‐LOX and OXPHOS complex proteins... However, the E. coli group showed slight changes in all proteins related to thermogenesis as well as the level of 15‐HETE.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
overstated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The claim uses definitive language ('suppresses') implying direct causation, but the in vitro model lacks full physiological context and cannot prove this occurs identically in vivo or in humans.
More Accurate Statement
“In vitro, live Sphingomonas paucimobilis is associated with reduced 15-HETE production and suppressed expression of UCP1, 12-LOX, and OXPHOS proteins in adipocytes, whereas E. coli does not produce comparable effects.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
This study found that a specific gut bacterium called Sphingomonas paucimobilis slows down fat-burning in mice by lowering a key molecule (15-HETE), which in turn turns down heat-producing proteins in fat cells—while other bacteria like E. coli weren’t tested but didn’t show the same effect.