Professor Patrice D. Cani is researcher from the Belgian Fund for Scientific Research (FRS-FNRS), group leader in the Metabolism and Nutrition research group at the Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI) from the Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), Brussels, Belgium, and WELBIO (Walloon Excellence in Lifesciences and BIOtechnology) investigator.
He is currently member of several international associations, he is member of the Alumni College from the Royal Belgian Academy of Sciences, and he has been elected in the board of directors of the LDRI (UCL). Patrice D. Cani has a M.Sc. in Nutrition and another M.Sc. in health Sciences, he is registered dietitian and PhD in Biomedical Sciences. His main research interests are the investigation of the role of the gut microbiota in the development of metabolic disorders, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and low grade inflammation. More specifically, he is investigating the interactions between the gut microbiota, the host and specific biological systems such as the endocannabinoid system and the innate immune system in the context of obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic inflammation.
Prof Cani is author and co-author of more than 110 scientific research papers published in peer-reviewed international journals, conferences and book chapters.
Enteric neurons have recently emerged as a new target in the management of type 2 diabetes. The findings in mice and humans identify new intestinal bioactive compounds released after prebiotic administration, with potential for improving glucose metabolism.
Gut microbiota, with its close links to metabolism and the immune system, could potentially be a factor that lies at the core of good health. This means it can be positioned at the heart of the processes that influence the risk of contracting different diseases.
Individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes have shown an altered gut microbiome composition. A new study has discovered tissue bacterial signatures linked to type 2 diabetes.
The gut-dwelling bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila has been positively linked with leanness in mice and humans. A new randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study shows that heat-inactivated A. muciniphila may help to limit cardiovascular risk parameters in individuals who are overweight and obese.
The number of publications discussing the gut microbiota over the past five years represents more than 80% of all publications over the past 40 years on the topic.
According to the 2014 International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) expert consensus document on the definition of probiotic, some mechanisms seem to be rare among different strains, but others are widespread among strains of the same species.
In a recent paper by Perry et al., researchers describe an investigation into the putative mechanisms by which gut microbiota alterations may lead to obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. Authors describe increased production of acetate by altered gut microbiota in rats. They link this to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, higher ghrelin secretion, hyperphagia, and obesity. Thus, they point to increased acetate production as a driver of metabolic syndrome.
A recent study (Chassaing, et al.) showed that two dietary emulsifiers -- carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80 -- induced gut microbiota alteration and gut barrier dysfunction in mice, resulting in weight gain, low-grade inflammation, and metabolic disorders.
In this paper, the first aim we had with Dr. Amandine Everard, was to investigate whether some key molecules involved in the innate immune system, mainly MyD88 [myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88], may contribute to the development of obesity, diabetes and low grade inflammation.
Numerous commensal bacteria present in the gut microbiota produce short chain fatty acids (SCFA’s) particularly acetate, butyrate and propionate. These SCFA’s have been associated with several biological effects upon host. Growing evidence suggests that specific microbes such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii