Superoxide Dismutase Modulation of Gut Microbiome Metabolites

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional feed additives for animals exhibit inconsistent effects on gut metabolomes due to high taxonomic variability in animal gut microbiomes, making it challenging to modulate metabolic pathways for improved nutrition, health, and sustainability.

Innovation Solution

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are used as animal feed additives to modify the abundance of enzymes in the microbiome metabolic pathways, specifically targeting central carbon and nitrogen utilization, thereby enhancing nitrogen and carbon utilization pathways.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional feed additives are used to target gut microbiota, then some metabolic effects are achieved, but the effects are inconsistent due to high taxonomic variability in gut microbiomes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsistency of metabolic effectsVSAvoidtaxonomic variability of gut microbiomes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the approach from targeting specific microbial taxa to modifying biochemical parameters (oxidative stress levels) that affect metabolic pathways. By administering SOD to reduce oxidative stress, the invention modulates enzyme abundance and metabolic flux in a consistent manner across animals with different microbiome compositions, thereby achieving reliable metabolic effects despite taxonomic variability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If SOD is administered to modulate metabolic pathways, then nitrogen and carbon utilization are improved, but the mechanism of action on complex microbiome pathways must be controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenitrogen and carbon utilizationVSAvoidcomplexity of microbiome metabolic pathways
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses SOD as an intermediary substance that mediates between the administered feed additive and the complex microbiome metabolic pathways. SOD reduces oxidative stress, which then modulates enzyme abundance and metabolic flux in central carbon and nitrogen pathways. This intermediary approach simplifies the control mechanism while achieving desired productivity improvements in nitrogen and carbon utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 use of SODs in animal feed increases the levels of specific metabolites associated with improved nitrogen and carbon utilization, leading to enhanced animal performance and sustainability by promoting healthier gut function and reducing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

Superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) is an enzyme that alternately catalyzes the dismutation (or partitioning) of the superoxide (O2-) radical into either ordinary molecular oxygen (O2) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

Superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) is an enzyme that alternately catalyzes the dismutation (or partitioning) of the superoxide (O2-) radical into either ordinary molecular oxygen (O2) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedox Reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS20230405091A1Methods of modulating gastrointestinal metabolites
Publication Date: 2023.12.21 DSM IP ASSETS BV

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to methods of feeding animals by providing feed additives that modulate the gut microbiome to improve the health, nutrition, and growth performance. The present disclosure further relates to methods of modulating metabolites present in the gastrointestinal tract of an animal. Such modulation includes, for example, modulating the level said metabolites.