Pseudovitamin B12-Producing Bacteria for Malabsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vitamin B12 deficiency in humans is prevalent due to inadequate dietary intake or malabsorption, leading to various health issues, and existing treatments like supplements or injections are ineffective for individuals with compromised gastrointestinal absorption.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising Eubacterium hallii and/or Intestinimonas butyriciproducens bacteria, optionally with Akkermansia muciniphila, which produce pseudovitamin B12 and propionate, administered with a physiologically acceptable carrier to enhance vitamin B12 production and absorption in the intestine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vitamin B12 supplements or injections are administered, then vitamin B12 levels can be increased, but they are ineffective for individuals with compromised gastrointestinal absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses specific gut bacteria (Eubacterium hallii and Intestinimonas butyriciproducens) as intermediaries to produce vitamin B12 directly in the intestine. These bacteria act as mediators that bypass the compromised absorption pathways by producing vitamin B12 locally in the gut, where it can be directly absorbed by intestinal cells or utilized by gut microbiota, thus resolving the contradiction between treatment effectiveness and applicability to malabsorption conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables the gastrointestinal tract to serve itself by introducing bacteria that produce vitamin B12 directly in the intestine. The administered bacteria autonomously synthesize vitamin B12 within the host's gut environment, eliminating the need for external supplementation through compromised absorption pathways and making the system self-sufficient for vitamin B12 production.
2Productivity
If pseudovitamin B12-producing bacteria are administered, then intestinal vitamin B12 production is enhanced, but the mechanism differs from conventional supplementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of external vitamin B12 administration (supplements or injections) with a biological system (pseudovitamin B12-producing bacteria). Instead of mechanically delivering vitamin B12 through absorption pathways, the invention uses living bacteria to biologically synthesize vitamin B12 in situ within the intestine, simplifying the administration mechanism while enhancing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the form of vitamin B12 from conventional vitamin B12 to pseudovitamin B12, which is produced by the administered bacteria. This parameter change in the chemical structure allows the vitamin to be produced directly in the intestine by the bacteria, thereby enhancing intestinal vitamin B12 production through a different biochemical pathway.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional vitamin B12 supplementation is used, then dietary deficiency can be addressed, but it does not restore beneficial gut microbiota functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two functions into one intervention: vitamin B12 production and gut microbiota restoration. By administering pseudovitamin B12-producing bacteria, the invention simultaneously increases vitamin B12 levels and restores beneficial gut microbiota functions, including propionate production and mucin degradation, thereby addressing both nutritional deficiency and microbiota dysfunction with a single treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The administered bacteria perform multiple functions: they produce pseudovitamin B12, produce propionate, degrade mucin, and modulate the gut environment. This multi-functionality allows a single bacterial intervention to address vitamin B12 deficiency while simultaneously restoring various gut microbiota functions, making the treatment universally beneficial for both nutritional and microbiological health.
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 bacteria produce pseudovitamin B12 in situ, which can be absorbed and used as a cofactor, effectively treating and preventing vitamin B12 deficiency, particularly in individuals with conditions like metformin treatment or vegan diets, by promoting intestinal vitamin B12 and propionate production.
Implementation Method 1
Eubacterium hallii and Intestinimonas butyriciproducens bacteria, which produce pseudovitamin B12
Implementation Method 2
which can be absorbed and used as a cofactor
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method for preventing and/or treating vitamin B12 deficiency is taught. The method comprises administering a composition comprising pseudovitamin B12 producing bacteria, optionally in conjunction with mucin-degrading and/or propionate-producing bacteria, to a subject in need thereof. The method is particularly suitable for administration to subjects suffering from vitamin B12 deficiency due to metformintreatment fortype-2 diabetes, and to subjects having undergone bariatric surgery.