Folate and Calcium Channel Blocker Combination for Aneurysm Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for aortic aneurysms, including abdominal aortic, thoracic aortic, and cerebral aneurysms, lack effective non-surgical options, with oxidative stress-driven vascular remodeling leading to unpredictable rupture and high mortality, and no oral medications available to prevent sudden rupture.

Innovation Solution

Conjoint administration of a folate compound and a calcium channel blocker, such as folic acid and Nifedipine, to prevent or treat aneurysms by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular remodeling, and enhancing nitric oxide bioavailability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical correction is used to treat large aneurysms, then aneurysm rupture risk is reduced, but mortality rate increases due to high surgical risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaneurysm rupture preventionVSAvoidsurgical mortality risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical surgical intervention with a chemical/pharmacological approach by administering a folate compound and calcium channel blocker combination to treat aneurysms, thereby avoiding surgical mortality while maintaining rupture prevention efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a pharmaceutical intermediary (folate compound and calcium channel blocker combination) that mediates the treatment effect between the patient and the disease, providing a non-surgical pathway to reduce aneurysm rupture risk without exposing patients to surgical hazards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If no treatment is available for small and growing aneurysms, then patients can avoid surgical risk, but unpredictable sudden rupture and death occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical risk avoidanceVSAvoidsudden rupture prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary pharmacological action by administering folate compound and calcium channel blocker to small and growing aneurysms before they reach surgical intervention size, preventing their progression and reducing the risk of sudden rupture while avoiding surgical exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes mechanical surgical correction with a pharmacological system that can be applied to aneurysms of all sizes, enabling treatment of small and growing aneurysms without surgical risk while maintaining reliability in preventing sudden rupture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If oxidative stress-driven vascular remodeling is allowed to progress, then natural disease course is maintained, but aneurysm formation and expansion occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease progressionVSAvoidvascular stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using folate compound and calcium channel blocker to counteract oxidative stress-driven vascular remodeling before it causes significant aneurysm formation, thereby maintaining vascular stability while allowing controlled disease monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 combination significantly attenuates aneurysm formation and progression by reducing superoxide production, eNOS uncoupling, and vascular inflammation, effectively preventing enlargement of blood vessels and promoting eNOS recoupling, thereby offering a novel oral medication for aortic aneurysms.

Implementation Method 1

reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular remodeling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntioxidant activity: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

enhancing nitric oxide bioavailability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNitric oxide synthesis:

Data Source

PatentUS20240173324A1Combinatory therapy for preventing, inhibiting, treating, or reducing aneurysms

Publication Date: 2024.05.30 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a folate compound and a calcium channel blocker, as well as the method for using such pharmaceutical compositions in the treatment of aneurysms.