GABA-Producing Lactococcus Lactis Strains for Visceral Pain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pharmacological treatments for visceral pain, particularly in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and burning mouth syndrome, are ineffective and there is a need for alternative, easily producible, low-cost therapeutic options.
Innovation Solution
Development of Lactococcus lactis strains capable of producing high levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) within 24 hours, specifically strains CNCM I-5388 and CNCM I-5386, which exhibit GAD activity exceeding 820 µmole/min.mg of protein, to reduce visceral pain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pharmacological treatments are used for visceral pain, then symptom management is attempted, but efficacy is low and treatments are only symptom-driven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses Lactococcus lactis bacteria as an intermediary carrier to deliver GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) to the gastrointestinal tract. This probiotic approach mediates the treatment by introducing a living organism that produces the therapeutic substance in situ, rather than administering synthetic drugs that merely mask symptoms. The bacteria colonize the gut and continuously produce GABA, providing sustained therapeutic effect with high efficacy in treating visceral pain conditions like IBS and burning mouth syndrome.
Solution Approach 2:
The Lactococcus lactis strain is engineered to autonomously produce GABA through its metabolic pathways. The bacteria self-regulate the production of this neurotransmitter that modulates visceral pain signaling. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external administration of GABA or synthetic analgesics, as the therapeutic agent is continuously synthesized by the probiotic bacteria residing in the patient's gastrointestinal tract.
2Reliability
If existing probiotics are used for visceral pain, then some pain relief may be achieved, but results are inconsistent due to strain and dosage variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameters for the Lactococcus lactis strain to ensure consistent therapeutic效果: minimum GABA production of 10 mM within 24 hours, specific growth conditions (M17 medium with glucose, peptone, yeast extract), and defined cultivation parameters (pH 6.0, 37°C). These standardized parameters eliminate the variability seen with existing probiotics by establishing clear quantitative thresholds for strain selection and performance evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent identifies and utilizes specific functional characteristics of the Lactococcus lactis strain localized to its GABA production capability. Rather than relying on general probiotic effects, the invention focuses on the specific metabolic property of these bacteria to produce high concentrations of GABA. This localized functional specification ensures that only strains meeting the precise GABA production threshold are effective, thereby guaranteeing consistent pain relief across different patients.
3Reliability
If Lactococcus lactis strains producing high levels of GABA are administered, then visceral pain is effectively reduced, but the treatment requires specific strain selection and production conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary selection and characterization of Lactococcus lactis strains to identify those capable of producing at least 10 mM GABA within 24 hours under standardized conditions. This preliminary action involves screening multiple strains, measuring their GABA production capacity, and selecting only those that meet the specified threshold. By performing this selection beforehand, the patent ensures that the chosen strain will reliably produce therapeutic levels of GABA when administered, guaranteeing effective visceral pain reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes cultivation parameters to maximize GABA production by the selected Lactococcus lactis strain. Specific conditions are established: M17 medium composition (glucose 10 g/L, peptone 10 g/L, yeast extract 5 g/L), pH 6.0, temperature 37°C, and incubation time 24 hours. These parameter specifications transform the complex strain cultivation process into a standardized, reproducible protocol that ensures consistent high-level GABA production while simplifying manufacturing and clinical application.
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
These strains effectively reduce visceral pain, including pain associated with psychological stress and anxiety, within 4 to 10 days of treatment, providing a viable and cost-effective alternative to existing treatments.
Implementation Method 1
Lactococcus lactis strains capable of producing high levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) within 24 hours
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a Lactococcus lactis strain or a cell fraction thereof for use in the prevention and/or treatment of visceral pain.