Stable Isotope Ratio Method for Diagnosing Impaired Nutrient Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing impaired absorption of amino acids, monosaccharides, and fatty acids are inadequate as they cannot distinguish between impaired absorption and impaired digestion, and often provide inaccurate measurements due to challenges in obtaining labeled nutrients and fecal loss analysis.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the administration of a first stable isotopologue orally and a second stable isotopologue intravenously, with periodic blood sampling to calculate and compare absorption ratios with healthy controls, allowing for accurate diagnosis of impaired absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If intrinsically labeled proteins are fed to patients to determine protein digestion/absorption, then the measurement can be performed using available methods, but it cannot distinguish impaired absorption from impaired digestion and obtaining sufficiently labeled proteins for accurate detection is challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of nutrient absorption measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of obtaining and administering labeled nutrients

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the measurement process by separately administering labeled amino acids (to measure absorption) and unlabeled protein (to measure digestion), then using isotopic ratio analysis to distinguish between the two processes. This segmentation allows independent measurement of absorption and digestion without requiring complex labeled proteins

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses stable isotopes as an intermediary substance to trace amino acid absorption independently of protein digestion. By measuring the isotopic ratio of labeled amino acids in plasma, the method indirectly measures absorption without being confounded by digestion variables

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If fecal loss analysis is used as the gold standard for nutrient metabolism analysis, then comprehensive metabolism can be assessed, but unabsorbed amino acids are metabolized by bacteria into ammonia and absorbed by colon mucosa resulting in undetectable nitrogen loss and false results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of amino acid absorption measurementVSAvoidbacterial metabolism of unabsorbed amino acids

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the measurement of amino acid absorption from the fecal loss analysis system by using plasma amino acid isotopic ratios instead. This extraction eliminates the interference of bacterial metabolism that occurs in the colon during fecal analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a copy of the absorption measurement process that occurs upstream in the small intestine by measuring labeled amino acid appearance in plasma, rather than measuring downstream fecal losses that have been altered by colonic bacterial metabolism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If current methods are used to measure nutrient absorption, then the diagnostic process is simpler, but the accuracy in determining the exact value of nutrient absorption is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of nutrient absorption valueVSAvoidsimplicity of diagnostic procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex fecal collection and nitrogen loss measurement procedures with a simpler plasma sampling method. The mechanical complexity of fecal analysis is substituted by measuring isotopic ratios in easily obtainable blood plasma samples

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This method enables precise differentiation between impaired absorption and digestion, providing accurate nutrient absorption measurements and aiding in the diagnosis of impaired nutrient absorption, which is crucial for patient health management.

Implementation Method 1

a first stable absorption isotopologue of the nutrient is administered orally to the individual and a second stable absorption isotopologue of the same nutrient is administered intravenously to the individual. Blood samples are drawn periodically from the individual and an amount of each isotopologue is measured in each sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStable isotope labeling:

Data Source

PatentUS10234448B2Methods for diagnosing impaired absorption of amino acids, monosaccharides and fatty acids

Publication Date: 2019.03.19 TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Provided herein are methods for diagnosing impaired nutrient absorption or determining a nutrient absorption level in an individual. A first stable absorption isotopologue of a nutrient and a second stable absorption isotopolog of the same nutrient are administered orally and intravenously, respectively, to the individual. Amounts of the first and second isotopologs are both measured in blood samples drawn periodically and a ratio of the first isotopolog to the second isotopolog is calculated providing a level of nutrient absorption. The results are compared with a healthy control or an ideal value of 1.0. The ratio less than that of a healthy control or significantly lower than 1.0 indicates an impaired nutrient absorption in the individual.