Synbiotic Composition for Gut Microbiota Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current probiotic and prebiotic combinations are ineffective in restoring gut microbiota after antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and infections caused by gastrointestinal pathogens, as they fail to specifically stimulate the growth of beneficial probiotic strains and inhibit pathogens effectively.
Innovation Solution
A synbiotic composition comprising specific strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria genera, capable of degrading starch, combined with prebiotic substances like starch, galactooligosaccharides, and fructo-oligosaccharides, which are exposed to acid, bile, and mucin to enhance their survival and antimicrobial activity, thereby colonizing the intestinal mucosa and inhibiting pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional probiotic and prebiotic combinations are used, then general gut flora support is provided, but specific stimulation of beneficial probiotic strains and inhibition of pathogens is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the probiotic component into multiple specific bacterial strains (Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis) rather than using a single probiotic type. Each strain is selected for its specific ability to degrade particular prebiotics and inhibit specific pathogens, providing targeted restoration of gut microbiota.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by matching specific probiotic strains with specific prebiotics based on their degradation capabilities. For example, Lactobacillus paracasei is paired with resistant starch, while Bifidobacterium breve is paired with galactooligosaccharides. This creates localized synergistic effects where each probiotic-prebiotic pair works optimally for its specific function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If broad spectrum antibiotics are used to treat infections, then pathogen elimination is achieved, but indigenous gut microflora is destroyed leading to overgrowth of resistant strains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by administering the synbiotic composition before or during antibiotic treatment to protect and restore indigenous gut microflora. The prebiotics are already present to support the probiotic strains, which will rapidly repopulate the gut environment before antibiotics can cause complete flora destruction, thereby preventing overgrowth of resistant strains like C. difficile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of antibiotics (which destroy beneficial flora along with pathogens) into a benefit by simultaneously administering prebiotics that selectively nourish specific probiotic strains. These probiotics then outcompete pathogenic resistant strains for resources and attachment sites, turning the post-antibiotic vulnerable state into an opportunity for targeted beneficial colonization.
3Reliability
If probiotic strains are exposed to acid, bile, and mucin during production, then survival in gastrointestinal tract is enhanced, but production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by exposing probiotic strains to acid, bile, and mucin during the production phase rather than during administration. This pre-adaptation allows the bacteria to develop resistance mechanisms before encountering the harsh gastrointestinal environment, ensuring high survival rates without requiring complex protective formulations or delivery systems.
4Productivity
If multiple specific probiotic strains are combined with specific prebiotics, then synergistic stimulation of beneficial bacteria is achieved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific probiotic-prebiotic pairs based on degradation capabilities. Each probiotic strain is matched with prebiotics it can efficiently degrade, creating localized metabolic zones in the gut where specific beneficial strains are stimulated. This targeted approach achieves high productivity for each strain pair while maintaining overall formulation manageability through systematic matching rather than random combination.
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 synbiotic composition effectively colonizes the intestinal mucosa, prevents, treats, and prevents relapse of AAD and infections by enhancing the growth of beneficial bacteria, inhibiting pathogens, and reducing toxin production, as demonstrated by high antimicrobial activity and survival in gastrointestinal-tract simulator models and mouse studies.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the bacterial strains is capable of degrading starch; and at least one prebiotic substance is starch, wherein the bacterial strain capable of degrading starch is Bifidobacterium breve Bif LU 10
Implementation Method 2
Prebiotic fermentation produces short chain fatty acids (SCFA), such as acetic acid, butyric acid and lactic acid that reduce the local pH of the colon
Implementation Method 3
which are exposed to acid, bile, and mucin to enhance their survival and antimicrobial activity
Implementation Method 4
which are exposed to acid, bile, and mucin to enhance their survival and antimicrobial activity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The present invention relates to synbiotic compositions comprising probiotic bacterial strains and prebiotic substances that, when combined exhibit synergistic behavior. The synergetic compositions will stimulate the indigenous microflora to restore and reconstitute in vivo gut like conditions after antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD), and/or other gut infections caused by gastrointestinal pathogens, and relapses thereof, as well as the prevention of said disorders.