Poly(beta-hydroxy fatty acid) delivery to large intestine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering short-medium chain fatty acids to the large intestine are inefficient, with oral administration leading to absorption in the stomach and small intestine, and enema administration being intermittent and unable to reach all areas of the large intestine effectively, while also facing challenges in maintaining effective concentrations and producing sufficient short chain fatty acids.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a polymer of β-hydroxy short-medium chain fatty acid that is orally administered and degraded by bacterial flora in the large intestine to produce physiologically active monomers or oligomers, which can then be absorbed and exert physiological effects, including the use of poly(β-hydroxybutyric acid) and its copolymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If oral administration of short-medium chain fatty acids is performed, then the acids are easily absorbed from stomach and small intestine, but the acids hardly reach the large intestine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces resistant starch or water-soluble dietary fibers as intermediary substances that are not absorbed in the stomach and small intestine, thereby serving as carriers to deliver short-medium chain fatty acids to the large intestine where they can exert their physiological effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the delivery system into multiple components: the fatty acid monomers, the resistant starch or dietary fiber carrier, and the bacterial flora in the large intestine that will eventually degrade the carrier to release the fatty acids
2Quantity of substance
If enema administration of short chain fatty acids is performed, then the acids can reach the large intestine, but the administration is intermittent and cannot reach all areas effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the body's own digestive system and bacterial flora to automatically distribute and degrade the resistant starch or dietary fiber carrier throughout the large intestine, eliminating the need for external intervention like enema administration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuous delivery through oral administration that works throughout the digestive cycle, unlike intermittent enema administration, ensuring constant presence of fatty acids in the large intestine
3Quantity of substance
If oral administration of resistant starches or water soluble dietary fibers is performed, then short chain fatty acids can be delivered to the large intestine, but the process requires fermentation by bacterial flora which may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure by using β-hydroxy short-medium chain fatty acid monomers instead of conventional short-chain fatty acids, creating a polymer that resists digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract and is specifically degraded by large intestinal bacteria to release the active monomers
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 polymer delivers active β-hydroxy short-medium chain fatty acid monomers or oligomers to the large intestine, where they are degraded, absorbed, and exhibit effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and apoptosis-inducing activities, effectively treating inflammatory bowel diseases and large intestine cancers, while also improving bowel function and reducing fat in the blood.
Implementation Method 1
degraded by the bacterial flora in the large intestine
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a composition comprising a polymer of a β-hydroxy short-medium chain fatty acid, which is used for delivering the β-hydroxy short-medium chain fatty acid or an oligomer thereof to the large intestine. In case the composition is administrated orally, the composition will be delivered to the large intestine, without being degraded in the stomach or short intestine, and degraded by the large intestinal bacterial flora and release the short-medium chain fatty acid or an oligomer thereof. The released short-medium chain fatty acid or an oligomer thereof has useful physiological activities and is effective for treating or preventing inflammatory diseases or cancer in the large intestine.