Lactoferrin Sodium Butyrate Composition Intestinal Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for intestinal diseases, such as villous atrophy and loss of intestinal barrier integrity, are inadequate, and there is a need for alternative therapies that can prevent tissue damage in patients with conditions like prolonged parenteral nutrition, celiac disease, and mucositis induced by chemotherapeutic agents.

Innovation Solution

A composition combining lactoferrin and sodium butyrate, with a weight ratio greater than or equal to 2, enhances the barrier function at the intracellular junctions and counteracts villous atrophy, improving solubility and bioavailability of lactoferrin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional treatments (probiotics, prebiotics, single agents) are used to treat intestinal diseases, then some positive activities are observed, but the mechanisms of action are far from known and treatment effectiveness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidmechanism understanding
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines lactoferrin and butyric acid into a single composition to treat intestinal diseases. This merging of two active agents with complementary mechanisms (lactoferrin for immunomodulation and iron binding, butyric acid for energy supply and pH control) creates a synergistic treatment that addresses multiple aspects of intestinal health simultaneously, improving treatment effectiveness while providing a more comprehensible dual-mechanism approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite therapeutic composition containing both lactoferrin and butyric acid in specific proportions. This composite approach integrates two different types of bioactive substances (a glycoprotein and a short-chain fatty acid) to achieve enhanced therapeutic effects that neither agent could provide alone, while the composite structure allows for standardized delivery and improved mechanism understanding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If lactoferrin is used alone to combat intestinal diseases, then anti-infective and immunomodulatory properties are provided, but solubility and bioavailability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmunomodulatory efficacyVSAvoidsolubility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Butyric acid serves as an intermediary substance that enhances the delivery and bioavailability of lactoferrin. By creating a favorable intestinal environment through pH control and providing energy to colonocytes, butyric acid facilitates better absorption and utilization of lactoferrin, thereby improving solubility and bioavailability without compromising the immunomodulatory efficacy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical and physiological parameters of the intestinal environment through butyric acid administration. By lowering intestinal pH and improving the solubility characteristics of the formulation, the composition enhances lactoferrin bioavailability. The specific parameter changes in the gut environment created by butyric acid facilitate better lactoferrin delivery and absorption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If butyric acid is used alone to treat intestinal lesions, then energy supply and pH control are improved, but comprehensive protection against multiple disease mechanisms is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemucosal healingVSAvoidmulti-mechanism coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The combined composition achieves multi-functionality by integrating two agents with different mechanisms of action. Lactoferrin provides anti-infective, iron-binding, and immunomodulatory functions, while butyric acid supplies energy, controls pH, and promotes mucosal healing. Together, they create a universal treatment that addresses multiple disease mechanisms simultaneously, including infection control, inflammation modulation, and tissue repair

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

By merging lactoferrin and butyric acid into a single composition, the invention creates a versatile treatment that covers multiple disease mechanisms. The combination allows both agents to work synergistically, providing comprehensive protection against intestinal diseases through complementary mechanisms including anti-infective, immunomodulatory, trophic, and barrier-protective effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If no preventive treatment is available, then tissue damage occurs in patients with predisposing conditions, but alternative therapies are needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue damage preventionVSAvoidpreventive therapy options
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The composition enables preliminary protective action by administering both lactoferrin and butyric acid before tissue damage occurs. This preventive approach strengthens the intestinal barrier function, modulates immunity in advance, and creates a protective environment that prevents damage from occurring in the first place, rather than merely treating established damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The combined composition provides beforehand cushioning against potential tissue damage by pre-establishing protective mechanisms. Lactoferrin pre-modulates immune responses and provides iron sequestration protection, while butyric acid pre-strengthenes the mucosal barrier and optimizes the intestinal environment, creating a cushion of protection against future insults from chemotherapy, infection, or other damaging agents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 combination of lactoferrin and sodium butyrate effectively prevents intestinal damage by maintaining mucosal integrity, reducing membrane permeability, and promoting intestinal ecology, as demonstrated by improved solubility and synergistic effects on intestinal epithelial cells.

Implementation Method 1

improving solubility and bioavailability of lactoferrin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolubility enhancement: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

its antimicrobial properties are mainly due to the ability to bind iron, thus subtracting it from the metabolism of the bacterial species that are dependent on it for their multiplication and adhesion to the intestinal mucosa

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIron binding: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

by stimulating water and sodium reabsorption in the colon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOsmotic reabsorption: Osmosis

Data Source

PatentEP3634458B1Composition to prevent intestinal damage
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 FUSION FARM S R L SEMPLIFICATA
  • EP3634458B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3634458B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3634458B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition comprising lactoferrin and butyric acid and/or a salt and/or an ester thereof. Said composition has excellent solubility in water and is used in the prevention of intestinal damage.