Gut Microbiota Composition Using Colon Redox and pH Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for metabolic disorders such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease lack effective and safe medications, with existing microbiome modulation approaches like probiotics and antibiotics having unfavorable safety and efficacy profiles.
Innovation Solution
Administering agents that increase oxygen tension, redox potential, and/or pH in the colon through the small or large intestine to modify the gut microbiome, specifically increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria like Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia while decreasing harmful bacteria like Firmicutes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics or fecal transplants are used to modulate the gut microbiota, then the microbiome is modified, but the safety and efficacy profiles are unfavorable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the colon environment by administering oxygen-generating agents (peroxides) and pH-modulating agents (bicarbonate salts, bases, or buffers). This shifts the colon from an anaerobic, acidic environment to a more aerobic, neutral pH environment, thereby selectively promoting the growth of beneficial aerobic bacteria while抑制ing harmful anaerobic bacteria, achieving microbiome modulation with improved safety and efficacy profiles
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary substances (oxygen-generating agents and pH buffers) that mediate the environment between the host and the microbiota. These intermediaries create favorable conditions for beneficial bacteria without directly introducing probiotics or using antibiotics, thus avoiding the safety issues associated with those approaches
2Weight of moving object
If bariatric surgery is performed to manage weight, then significant weight reduction is achieved, but the procedure is invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical/surgical intervention of bariatric surgery with a chemical/biological approach. Instead of physically altering the gastrointestinal tract through surgery, the invention uses chemically active compounds (peroxides and bases) to modify the microbial ecosystem, which in turn affects metabolism and weight management, achieving similar outcomes without invasive procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary substances (oxygen-generating agents and pH buffers) that mediate the environment between the host and the microbiota. These intermediaries create favorable conditions for beneficial bacteria without directly introducing probiotics or using antibiotics, thus avoiding the safety issues associated with those approaches
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
This approach leads to significant weight reduction and improved metabolic health by altering the gut microbiota, mimicking the effects of bariatric surgery without its invasive nature, with potential benefits including a 2% weight loss and increased abundance of beneficial bacteria within five days.
Implementation Method 1
administering an effective amount to the small intestine and/or large intestine of a subject of at least one agent that increases oxygen tension and/or redox potential and/or pH in the colon
Implementation Method 2
the at least one agent is a peroxide catalyst. In some embodiments the at least one agent is selected from carbamide peroxide, sodium percarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and catalase
Implementation Method 3
the at least one agent increases pH and is selected from bicarbonate salts, carbonate salts, bases, and buffers
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of weight management for a subject are provided. Generally the methods comprising: administering an effective amount to the small intestine and/or large intestine of the subject of at least one agent that increases oxygen tension and/or redox potential and/or pH in the colon of the subject to thereby manage the weight of the subject. Also provided are compositions comprising at least one agent that increases oxygen tension and/or redox potential and/or pH, wherein the composition is formulated for delivery of an effective amount of the at least one agent to the small intestine and/or large intestine of a subject following oral administration of the composition to the subject.