Fermentable Fiber Composition for Inflammation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compositions fail to effectively regulate and manage systemic inflammation, leading to uncontrolled physiological responses that can cause damage to the body, with high mortality rates despite advancements in understanding the mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising inulin and partially hydrolyzed arabinoxylan, in specific ratios, which synergistically reduces and prevents systemic inflammation by attenuating the elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressing anti-inflammatory cytokines, thereby improving resistance to stress and immune challenges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional compositions are used to manage inflammation, then some anti-inflammatory effect is achieved, but the regulation is insufficient and pro-inflammatory cytokines remain uncontrolled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite prebiotic composition containing multiple types of fermentable fibers (inulin, arabinoxylan, beta-glucan, pectin) in specific proportions. This composite approach creates synergistic effects where each fiber type contributes different mechanisms of action, collectively providing superior anti-inflammatory activity compared to single fiber compositions. The composite material addresses the insufficient regulation by combining multiple active components that target different aspects of the inflammatory response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for each fiber component (inulin: 20-40%, arabinoxylan: 10-30%, beta-glucan: 10-30%, pectin: 5-20%) and total fiber content (3-15 g/day). By optimizing these parameters, the composition achieves threshold effects where the combined fibers sufficiently modulate cytokine production to control pro-inflammatory responses while maintaining anti-inflammatory effects.
2Reliability
If single-type fermentable fiber compositions are used, then some prebiotic effect is achieved, but synergistic modulation of cytokine production is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite prebiotic composition containing multiple types of fermentable fibers (inulin, arabinoxylan, beta-glucan, pectin) in specific proportions. This composite approach creates synergistic effects where each fiber type contributes different mechanisms of action, collectively providing superior anti-inflammatory activity compared to single fiber compositions.
Solution Approach 2:
Each fiber type in the composition serves multiple functions: inulin stimulates bifidobacteria growth and produces butyrate, arabinoxylan modulates immune cell activity, beta-glucan activates macrophages and dendritic cells, and pectin provides additional prebiotic effects. This multi-functionality allows a single composition to address multiple aspects of inflammatory regulation simultaneously.
3Reliability
If higher doses of fermentable fibers are used to enhance anti-inflammatory effect, then cytokine modulation improves, but risk of gastrointestinal discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for each fiber component (inulin: 20-40%, arabinoxylan: 10-30%, beta-glucan: 10-30%, pectin: 5-20%) and total fiber content (3-15 g/day). By optimizing these parameters, the composition achieves threshold effects where the combined fibers sufficiently modulate cytokine production while remaining below doses that cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Different fiber types have different fermentation rates and locations in the gastrointestinal tract. The composition leverages these local differences by including fibers that ferment at different rates and locations, creating a gradient of prebiotic activity along the GI tract. This distributes the metabolic load and reduces concentrated fermentation that could cause discomfort.
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 composition effectively reduces systemic inflammation, lowers LPS concentrations, and offers potential benefits in treating obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type-2 diabetes, while also serving as a prebiotic to promote gut health.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention relates to compositions comprising fermentable fibers for preventing, reducing and/or treating inflammation
Implementation Method 2
The present inventors have found that the present composition synergistically attenuate at the same time the elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-12, IFN-γ) and the suppression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-10, IL-4, IL-13), following harmful stimuli such as a challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to synergistic compositions which include mixtures of fermentable fibers. These compositions include inulin and arabinoxylan for use in reducing, preventing and/or treating inflammation. The arabinoxylan is partially hydrolyzed arabinoxylan and the ratio of inulin to arabinoxylan and/or partially hydrolyzed arabinoxylan is between 65%/35% by weight and 90%/10% by weight.