Lactic Acid Bacteria Strain Selection for Infant Colic Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for infantile colic are ineffective and often come with side effects, as there is no cure for the condition, and existing probiotics do not specifically target strains that effectively increase IL-10 levels to alleviate gut motility disorders.

Innovation Solution

Selecting specific strains of lactic acid bacteria, such as L. reuteri DSM 17938, that promote IL-10 production and CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cell proliferation to develop products for the prophylaxis and treatment of colic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional probiotics are used for treating infantile colic, then general gut health may be improved, but they do not specifically increase IL-10 levels to effectively alleviate colic symptoms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of colic treatmentVSAvoidspecificity of probiotic strain selection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the broad category of probiotics into specific strains (L. reuteri DSM 17938 and L. reuteri ATCC 55730) that have been identified for their unique ability to increase IL-10 levels. This segmentation allows selection of strains with proven efficacy for colic treatment rather than using general probiotic formulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the selection parameter from general probiotic presence to specific functional capability (IL-10 level increase). By measuring and selecting strains based on their ability to increase IL-10 levels in vitro, the invention identifies strains with superior in vivo efficacy for reducing colic symptoms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If current treatments for infantile colic are applied, then some symptom relief may be achieved, but they are ineffective overall and come with side effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveside effects of treatmentVSAvoideffectiveness of colic treatment
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the previously harmful or ineffective approach of using conventional probiotics into a beneficial treatment by selecting specific strains with proven IL-10 increasing capability. This transforms a generally ineffective treatment category into a targeted, effective therapy that reduces both symptoms and side effects.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If non-specific probiotics are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but the treatment does not effectively target the IL-10 pathway to reduce crying time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprobiotic product productionVSAvoidcrying time of infants
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary selection of probiotic strains based on their in vitro ability to increase IL-10 levels before product formulation. This preliminary action ensures that only strains with proven efficacy are used, guaranteeing effective reduction of crying time while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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 selected strains significantly reduce crying time and alleviate colic symptoms in infants, offering a safer and more effective treatment option compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

Lactic acid bacteria which have been selected for their capability of promoting production of IL-10

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCytokine production (IL-10):

Implementation Method 2

promote IL-10 production and CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cell proliferation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCell proliferation:

Data Source

PatentUS9340840B2Use of selected lactic acid bacteria for reducing infantile colic
Publication Date: 2016.05.17 BIOGAIA AB

AI summary

The invention herein provides certain strains of lactic acid bacteria selected for their capability of promoting production of IL-10 and consequently proliferation of CD4+CD25+ TR cells, for prophylaxis and/or treatment of infant colic, a method of selecting such strains, and products containing such strains.