Gold(III) Compounds for Faster Intestinal Mucosal Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current therapies fail to effectively accelerate the repair of mucosal injury in conditions affecting intestinal epithelial cells, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and coronavirus-induced enteritis, which are chronic and costly, increasing the risk of complications like bowel obstruction, fistulas, and colorectal cancer.

Innovation Solution

The use of gold(III) compounds, specifically AuPhos, is administered to increase mitochondrial respiration in intestinal epithelial cells, enhancing mitochondrial function and promoting healing by increasing oxidative phosphorylation and redox signaling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If current therapies are used for treating IBD and coronavirus-induced enteritis, then disease management is maintained, but mucosal healing is delayed and complications risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemucosal healing rateVSAvoidtime to repair

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the metabolic state of intestinal epithelial cells through gold(III) compound treatment. Specifically, it shifts cells from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation by targeting mitochondrial function, thereby accelerating mucosal healing. This metabolic parameter change enables faster tissue repair without compromising safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preliminary action by pre-treating intestinal epithelial cells with gold(III) compounds to enhance mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation capacity before mucosal injury occurs or early in the healing process. This preparatory metabolic conditioning accelerates subsequent repair kinetics and reduces healing time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If mitochondrial function is enhanced to accelerate healing, then mucosal repair speed increases, but metabolic pathway complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealing speedVSAvoidmetabolic pathway complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses gold(III) compounds as intermediary agents to modulate mitochondrial function. These compounds act as catalysts that enhance oxidative phosphorylation efficiency without requiring complex metabolic reprogramming. The intermediary mediates the transition from glycolysis to OXPHOS by directly interacting with mitochondrial electron transport chain components, simplifying the overall metabolic control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If oxidative phosphorylation is increased to promote cell proliferation, then epithelial cell expansion increases, but reactive oxygen species production increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveepithelial cell numberVSAvoidreactive oxygen species

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of increased reactive oxygen species production into a beneficial outcome. By enhancing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation with gold(III) compounds, the resulting ROS acts as a signaling molecule that further stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis and cellular proliferation. The harmful ROS is thus transformed into a beneficial signal that amplifies the therapeutic effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the redox state of intestinal epithelial cells. It shifts the cellular environment from a reduced state to a more oxidized state through enhanced oxidative phosphorylation, thereby activating redox-sensitive signaling pathways that promote cell proliferation and differentiation. This parameter change in oxidation state drives the therapeutic effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

AuPhos enhances mitochondrial respiration, improving mucosal healing, reducing inflammation, and mitigating disease severity in IBD and coronavirus-induced enteritis, thereby decreasing the risk of complications and lowering healthcare costs.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing mitochondrial function and promoting healing by increasing oxidative phosphorylation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidative phosphorylation:

Implementation Method 2

Mitochondria are well known for their ability to produce ATP as cellular energy by creating an electrochemical gradient through electron transport chain (ETC)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron transport chain: