L-Cysteine Capsule for Alcohol Flushing Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Alcohol-induced flushing and hypersensitivity reactions in individuals with ALDH2 deficiency are not effectively addressed by existing technologies, as they primarily focus on blood acetaldehyde levels rather than local acetaldehyde-mediated histamine release in the digestive tract.

Innovation Solution

Slowly releasing L-cysteine preparations that bind acetaldehyde in the stomach or mouth, forming inactive products and reducing histamine release, thereby preventing and treating alcohol-induced flushing and hypersensitivity reactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional treatments focus on reducing blood acetaldehyde levels, then systemic acetaldehyde toxicity is addressed, but local acetaldehyde-mediated histamine release in the digestive tract is not effectively prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of treatmentVSAvoidlocal acetaldehyde-mediated histamine release
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by delivering cysteine specifically to the digestive tract where acetaldehyde is produced by oral microbes and mucosal cells. The capsule formulation ensures cysteine is released in the stomach and upper digestive tract, creating high local concentrations where they are needed to bind acetaldehyde and prevent histamine release, rather than relying on systemic distribution alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Cysteine acts as an intermediary substance that binds to acetaldehyde in the digestive tract, forming a non-toxic complex. This intermediary mechanism directly addresses local acetaldehyde production by providing a binding agent at the site of acetaldehyde generation, preventing the acetaldehyde-histamine interaction that causes flushing and hypersensitivity reactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If acetaldehyde is bound in the digestive tract, then histamine release is reduced, but the treatment requires specific delivery mechanisms to ensure adequate cysteine concentration at the site of acetaldehyde production

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehistamine releaseVSAvoiddelivery mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment employs preliminary action by administering the cysteine capsule before alcohol consumption. This ensures that cysteine is already present in the digestive tract and can immediately bind to acetaldehyde as it is produced from alcohol metabolism, preventing the formation of acetaldehyde-histamine complexes before they can trigger flushing and hypersensitivity reactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a simple, disposable capsule formulation containing cysteine. This single-use delivery system is inexpensive and easy to administer, providing a practical solution that does not require complex reusable devices or sophisticated delivery infrastructure, making the treatment accessible and convenient for users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Duration of action of moving object

If L-cysteine is released slowly in the stomach, then sustained acetaldehyde binding is achieved, but the release mechanism must be controlled to match alcohol metabolism timing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesustained effectivenessVSAvoidrelease mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule employs periodic action through its controlled release mechanism, which releases cysteine in a sustained manner over time. This periodic release pattern matches the timing of alcohol metabolism and acetaldehyde production, ensuring that cysteine is continuously available to bind acetaldehyde throughout the period when it is being generated, providing sustained protection without requiring complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic 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 L-cysteine preparations significantly reduce acetaldehyde levels in saliva and gastric juice, effectively alleviating symptoms such as facial redness, increased skin temperature, and cardiovascular responses associated with alcohol consumption, with a prolonged release mechanism ensuring sustained effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

L-cysteine preparations that bind acetaldehyde in the stomach or mouth, forming inactive products

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical binding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

with a prolonged release mechanism ensuring sustained effectiveness

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProlonged release:

Data Source

PatentEP3193859B1Preparations for treatment and prevention of alcohol flushing and alcohol-induced hypersensitivity reactions
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 BIOHIT OYJ
  • EP3193859B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3193859B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3a
  • EP3193859B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~4a

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cysteine releasing pharmaceutical preparation(s) for novel use in preventing and/or treating alcohol flushing and alcohol induced hypersensitivity reactions. Additionally, the invention relates to a method for eliminating histamine releasing effect of locally formed acetaldehyde in the digestive tract.