Sn-2 Palmitic Acid Triglycerides for Preterm Intestinal Maturation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Preterm infants often suffer from immature gastrointestinal tracts, leading to increased risks of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders due to inadequate intestinal maturation, which existing treatments have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

A lipid composition comprising triglycerides with a specific formula, where R1, R2, and R3 can be H or acyl groups, including saturated, mono-unsaturated, and poly-unsaturated fatty acid residues, with a total palmitic acid residue content between 15% to 55%, is used to promote intestinal development, maturation, adaptation, and differentiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If preterm infants are provided with standard nutritional support, then basic growth needs are met, but intestinal maturity and barrier function remain insufficient leading to gastrointestinal disorders

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintestinal barrier functionVSAvoidgastrointestinal diseases

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the lipid composition parameters - specifically using triglycerides with palmitic acid at the sn-2 position (15-55% of total fatty acids) combined with specific unsaturated fatty acids. This parameter modification transforms the nutritional intervention from standard to optimized, thereby improving intestinal barrier function and reducing gastrointestinal disorders in preterm infants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials by creating a specific lipid composition that combines multiple fatty acid types (saturated palmitic acid at sn-2 position, mono-unsaturated, and poly-unsaturated fatty acids) in defined proportions. This composite lipid structure works synergistically to promote intestinal maturation and enhance barrier function more effectively than individual fatty acids alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If lipid composition with high palmitic acid is used, then intestinal maturation is promoted, but risk of gastrointestinal discomfort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintestinal maturationVSAvoidgastrointestinal discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by specifically positioning palmitic acid at the sn-2 position of triglycerides rather than distributing it randomly across all positions. This localized placement ensures that palmitic acid is released in a controlled manner during digestion, promoting intestinal maturation while avoiding the gastrointestinal discomfort associated with high palmitic acid in other positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of fatty acid positioning (sn-2 position) and controls the concentration (15-55% of total fatty acids) to achieve optimal intestinal maturation while minimizing harmful effects. This precise parameter control resolves the contradiction between promoting maturation and avoiding discomfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9561207B2Lipid compositions for the treatment of gastro-intestinal disorders and the promotion of intestinal development and maturation

Publication Date: 2017.02.07 ENZYMOTEC

AI summary

The present invention provides a use of a lipid composition for the preparation of a nutritional, pharmaceutical or nutraceutical composition or a functional food, for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders, and for promoting intestinal development, maturation, adaptation and differentiation.