Publication in Gut

D. welbionis : potential implications for metabolic diseases

A new bacterium, made in Belgium



In 2020, the team of Prof. Patrice Cani (WELBIO UCLouvain) published the identification of a brand-new bacterial genus and species. The species name welbionis is derived from the WELBIO. The genus name Dysosmobacter means “bad-smelling rod”, owing to the smelly nature of the rod-shaped microbe. Le Roy et al (2020) Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol., 70 : 4851-4858

In this new publication, the team studied the role of D. welbionis in the organism.   Through the analysis of 12,000 samples from around the world, the scientists observed that the bacterium was present in 70% of the population, but to a lesser extent in patients with type 2 diabetes.

In mouse models, the bacterium increased the number of mitochondria thereby lowering sugar levels and weight, in addition to having strong anti-inflammatory activity. These properties have potential for the treatment of  type 2 diabetes and obesity.  In addition, select molecules produced by D. welbionis circulate in the body with actions beyond the gut. This opens the doors for a possible impact on additional diseases such as inflammation and cancer.

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 Reference : Le Roy et al (2021) Gut doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-323778

Source : Press release UCLouvain

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

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