Lactic Acid Bacteria Composition for Post-COVID Chemosensory Disorders
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of effective preventive and therapeutic drugs for chemosensory disorders, such as taste and olfactory disorders, which can persist in COVID-19 patients even after other symptoms subside, and existing drugs have limitations in eligibility and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising lactic acid bacteria, particularly Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis JCM5805 strain, is administered to activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and induce interferon (IFN) production, providing a safe and convenient treatment or prevention for chemosensory disorders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional antiviral drugs (Actemra, baricitinib, Zocova) are used for COVID-19 treatment, then severe symptoms can be controlled, but chemosensory disorders persist and treatment eligibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs lactic acid bacteria, specifically Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, as a cost-effective and accessible probiotic intervention. This organism is widely available in fermented foods and supplements, making the treatment affordable and accessible to the general population without requiring specialized pharmaceuticals or hospital settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The lactic acid bacteria perform self-service by naturally colonizing the gastrointestinal tract and stimulating the immune system through endogenous interferon production. The bacteria themselves serve as the therapeutic agent, activating plasmacytoid dendritic cells and inducing type I interferon without requiring external pharmaceutical intervention.
2Reliability
If existing antiviral drugs are prescribed, then some symptoms are treated, but safety concerns arise due to teratogenicity, drug interactions, and high cost
Solution Approach 1:
Lactic acid bacteria are safe, naturally occurring microorganisms that have been consumed for centuries in fermented foods. They pose minimal safety risks compared to potent antiviral drugs, eliminating concerns about teratogenicity, severe drug interactions, and long-term side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the natural immune-stimulating properties of lactic acid bacteria to convert a potential risk (viral persistence) into a benefit (enhanced antiviral response). The bacteria trigger endogenous interferon production, which naturally clears viral infections without the harmful side effects of pharmaceutical interventions.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If no specific treatment is given for chemosensory disorders, then drug safety is maintained, but the disorders persist for long periods after other symptoms subside
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary action by allowing lactic acid bacteria to be administered early in the course of COVID-19 infection or even preventively. This early intervention can accelerate immune response and potentially prevent the development of persistent chemosensory disorders before they become chronic.
Solution Approach 2:
Lactic acid bacteria serve multiple functions: they act as probiotics for gut health, immune system modulators, and antiviral agents. This multi-functionality provides a single intervention that addresses both the underlying viral infection and the resulting chemosensory disorders without requiring separate specialized treatments.
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 lactic acid bacteria composition effectively accelerates the improvement of chemosensory disorders by activating pDCs and inducing IFN production, offering a safe and accessible solution for mildly ill COVID-19 patients.
Implementation Method 1
lactic acid bacteria
Data Source
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AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a composition for preventing or treating a chemosensory disorder. The present invention provides a composition for preventing or treating a chemosensory disorder, comprising a lactic acid bacterium. The chemosensory disorder can be a chemosensory disorder that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. The present invention is advantageous in that lactic acid bacteria can be used as a functional ingredient that imparts a preventive or therapeutic effect against a chemosensory disorder, and a pharmaceutical product or a food product that is safe for mammals including humans can be provided.