Pediococcus pentosaceus Probiotic for Infantile Colic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for excessive crying in infants, such as drug therapies and herbal remedies, are often ineffective and come with side effects, while existing probiotic compositions have shown limited success in addressing the underlying gastrointestinal disturbances contributing to this condition.
Innovation Solution
A novel probiotic composition based on Pediococcus pentosaceus cells, specifically strain CECT 8330, which induces the production of interleukin-10 (IL-10) to reduce inflammation in the intestinal tract, is developed to alleviate excessive crying in infants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If drug therapies (dicyclomine hydrochloride or cimetropium bromide) are used to reduce crying, then crying duration is reduced, but side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a probiotic composition as a safe, short-term intervention that does not accumulate harmful effects. The probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus) are administered to temporarily restore gut flora balance and reduce crying, without the long-term side effects associated with pharmaceutical drugs.
Solution Approach 2:
The probiotic bacteria act as intermediaries that restore the balance of intestinal microflora, which in turn reduces excessive crying. Instead of directly suppressing crying symptoms with drugs, the probiotics mediate the effect by correcting the underlying gastrointestinal disturbance through microbial balance restoration.
2Loss of time
If herbal remedies are used to treat excessive crying, then crying time is reduced, but adverse effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The probiotic composition provides a safe, temporary solution to reduce crying time without the adverse effects of herbal remedies. The bacteria are administered to restore gut flora balance, achieving symptom relief without vomiting, sleepiness, or loss of appetite associated with herbal treatments.
3Reliability
If existing probiotic compositions are used, then gastrointestinal disturbances are addressed, but effectiveness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite probiotic composition containing three different bacterial strains (Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus) that work synergistically. This composite approach addresses multiple aspects of gastrointestinal disturbance more effectively than single-strain probiotics, improving reliability while maintaining adaptability to different infant needs.
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 Pediococcus pentosaceus strain CECT 8330 effectively reduces inflammation and inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria, providing a safe and effective solution for excessive crying, as demonstrated by its ability to induce IL-10 production and antagonize harmful intestinal bacteria without causing adverse effects.
Implementation Method 1
induces the production of interleukin-10 (IL-10) to reduce inflammation in the intestinal tract
Implementation Method 2
inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria... antagonize harmful intestinal bacteria
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a bacterial composition which comprises from 104 to 1012 cfu/g of Pediococcus pentosaceus cells which have the ability to induce the production of interleukin-10 to reduce inflammation in the intestinal tract among other features and is useful in the amelioration of excessive crying in infants.