Colon-Release Probiotic Formulation for Tryptophan Metabolite Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current strategies for delivering tryptophan metabolites, such as indole-3 lactic acid and indole-3 acetic acid, directly to the gut for health benefits face challenges, including inefficient delivery and dysfunctional gut microbiome metabolism, especially under high-salt diets, limiting their effectiveness in preventing or treating conditions like inflammatory bowel diseases and mental health disorders.
Innovation Solution
A colon-release formulation combining L-tryptophan with specific Lactobacillus strains (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus brevis, and Lactobacillus reuteri) that rapidly convert tryptophan into beneficial metabolites like indole-3 lactic acid, indole-3 acetic acid, and kynurenine, ensuring targeted release in the distal gastrointestinal tract for enhanced bioavailability and physiological effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tryptophan is delivered directly to the gut, then health benefits should be achieved, but delivery efficiency is low and gut microbiome metabolism is dysfunctional
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-converting tryptophan into metabolites (indole-3-lactic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, and L-kynurenine) using selected Lactobacillus strains before delivery to the gut. This preliminary metabolic conversion ensures that the active compounds are already formed and stable, overcoming the inefficiency of direct tryptophan delivery and the dysfunction of gut microbiome metabolism under high-salt diet conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses specific Lactobacillus strains as intermediary organisms that facilitate the conversion of tryptophan into beneficial metabolites. These probiotic strains act as mediators between the administered tryptophan and the host gut environment, ensuring reliable production of active compounds even when the native gut microbiome is dysfunctional
2Reliability
If colon-release formulation is used, then targeted release in distal gastrointestinal tract is achieved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the pH gradient along the gastrointestinal tract as a triggering parameter for drug release. The colon-release formulation is designed to remain stable in the upper GI tract and release the probiotic-tryptophan complex specifically in the colon, where the pH conditions trigger the release mechanism. This approach achieves targeted delivery without requiring complex mechanical or chemical release systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The formulation achieves unparalleled levels of tryptophan metabolites in the large intestinal lumen, improving gut health, mental health, and immune function by promoting the biosynthesis of serotonin and melatonin, while reducing neuroinflammation, thus providing a novel approach for preventing and treating various health conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Lactobacillus strains (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus brevis, and Lactobacillus reuteri) that rapidly convert tryptophan into beneficial metabolites like indole-3 lactic acid, indole-3 acetic acid, and kynurenine
Implementation Method 2
A colon-release formulation combining L-tryptophan with specific Lactobacillus strains that rapidly convert tryptophan into beneficial metabolites, ensuring targeted release in the distal gastrointestinal tract for enhanced bioavailability
Data Source
AI summary
The current invention concerns preparations comprising probiotic strains belonging to the genus Lactobacillus in combination with the amino acid L-tryptophan.