HMO Composition for Delayed Butyrate Production
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective means to increase the concentration of butyrate produced in the gastrointestinal tract of non-infant humans, as it plays a crucial role in intestinal health and has protective effects against various diseases, but existing methods do not efficiently stimulate its production in adults and children beyond infancy.
Innovation Solution
Administration of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), particularly neutral HMOs like 2′-FL and LNnT, for a period of at least 14 days to stimulate the growth of Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium bifidum, leading to a delayed increase in butyrate production, which can be achieved through dietary or pharmaceutical compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If HMOs are administered to non-infant humans, then butyrate production is increased, but the effect is delayed and requires prolonged administration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by administering HMOs over a prolonged period (at least 14 days) before significant butyrate production increases are observed. This extended pre-administration period allows bifidobacteria populations to establish and grow sufficiently to subsequently produce butyrate at therapeutic levels, resolving the contradiction between achieving sufficient butyrate concentration and the time required to do so.
2Quantity of substance
If HMOs are used to stimulate bifidobacteria growth, then butyrate production increases, but the mechanism requires metabolic cross-feeding between different bacterial species
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes metabolic cross-feeding as an intermediary mechanism where bifidobacteria first ferment HMOs to produce acetate and lactate, which then serve as substrates for butyrate-producing bacteria. This two-step indirect pathway resolves the complexity by breaking down the direct HMO-to-butyrate conversion into manageable sequential steps involving different bacterial populations.
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 administration of HMOs significantly increases butyrate levels in the gastrointestinal tract by 100-1000%, providing benefits for intestinal health, reducing inflammation, and addressing conditions such as IBS, obesity, and brain-gut disorders.
Implementation Method 1
Metabolic end products such as short chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate and butyrate), produced during carbohydrate fermentation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a composition comprising one or more human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) for use in stimulating the production of butyrate in the gastro-intestinal tract of a non-infant human and obtaining delayed increase in the level of butyrate in the gastro-intestinal tract of the non-infant human, and methods for their use.