Probiotic Strains Enhance Calcium Absorption for Osteoporosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods are inadequate in effectively preventing and treating osteoporosis, particularly in increasing calcium absorption to maintain bone health and prevent bone loss, which is a significant health concern especially in postmenopausal women.

Innovation Solution

The use of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2, DSM 13434, in combination with Lactobacillus plantarum strains, to enhance calcium absorption and prevent cortical bone loss, bone mineral content loss, and bone resorption, potentially through modulation of the gut microbiota and immune system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional methods are used to prevent and treat osteoporosis, then bone health maintenance is attempted, but calcium absorption is insufficient and bone loss continues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalcium absorptionVSAvoideffectiveness of osteoporosis prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus paracasei) as intermediary organisms that mediate between dietary calcium and the host's absorption systems. These probiotics colonize the gut and actively enhance calcium uptake through biological mechanisms, serving as a living intermediary that bridges the gap between conventional supplementation and effective absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the biological parameter of gut microbiota composition by introducing specific probiotic strains. This parameter change in the microbial environment leads to improved calcium absorption efficiency, transforming the host's physiological response to calcium intake without changing the calcium itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If probiotic strains are used to enhance calcium absorption, then bone mineral content is improved, but the complexity of the treatment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebone mineral contentVSAvoidtreatment composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple probiotic strains (Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus paracasei) into a single composite preparation that works synergistically. This combination approach consolidates multiple beneficial functions into one treatment product, maintaining simplicity while achieving enhanced calcium absorption and bone mineral content improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If cortical bone loss is prevented through probiotic treatment, then fracture susceptibility is reduced, but the mechanism involves complex immune system modulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebone strengthVSAvoidbiological mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The probiotic bacteria perform self-service by colonizing the gut and autonomously modulating the immune system and calcium absorption pathways. The biological system uses itself (the probiotics) to regulate bone metabolism through inherent mechanisms involving cytokine production and intestinal calcium transport, without requiring external complex intervention systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2981274B1Probiotic strains for use in treatment or prevention of osteoporosis
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 PROBI AB LUND SE
  • EP2981274B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2981274B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2981274B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention relates to at least one probiotic strain chosen from Lactobacillus paracasei, or at least one probiotic strain chosen from Lactobacillus paracaseiin combination with at least one probiotic strain chosen from Lactobacillus plantarum, for use in the treatment or prevention of osteoporosis or for use in increasing the absorption of at Ca2+ ions, in a mammal, preferably in a human.