Urinary Lactate Screening for Accurate MIDD Differentiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to accurately differentiate mitochondrial m.3243A>G mutation-associated diabetes (MIDD) from other types of diabetes due to similar age of onset and clinical manifestations, often leading to misdiagnosis.

Innovation Solution

A method and kit for diagnosing MIDD by detecting lactate levels in urine samples using a reagent comprising lactate dehydrogenase, lactate oxidase, lactate binding proteins, or functional variants, and optical probes, comparing the levels with a control to identify MIDD.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional diabetes diagnostic methods are used, then diagnosis can be performed, but accurate differentiation of MIDD from other diabetes types is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidmisdiagnosis rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces urinary lactate as an intermediary biomarker to differentiate MIDD from other diabetes types. Conventional methods directly diagnose diabetes without distinguishing subtypes, but this patent uses lactate levels as a mediator indicator that specifically reflects mitochondrial dysfunction characteristic of MIDD, enabling accurate differentiation without misdiagnosis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent shifts the diagnostic parameter from general glucose metabolism indicators to specific urinary lactate concentration. By monitoring lactate levels (which are significantly elevated in MIDD patients compared to T1DM and T2DM patients), the diagnostic system achieves precise differentiation of diabetes subtypes, resolving the contradiction between diagnostic capability and diagnostic accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If comprehensive diabetes screening is performed, then all diabetic patients can be identified, but differentiation of MIDD remains unclear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of patients screenedVSAvoidMIDD identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Urinary lactate serves as a specific intermediary marker that can be measured in large-scale screening while providing MIDD-specific information. The method allows comprehensive screening of diabetic patients and simultaneously identifies MIDD cases through elevated lactate levels, achieving both high screening coverage and precise MIDD differentiation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the diabetes patient population by introducing lactate level measurement as an additional classification criterion. This divides diabetic patients into distinct groups (MIDD with high lactate vs. T1DM/T2DM with normal lactate), enabling both comprehensive screening and precise subtype identification simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 method provides rapid and accurate diagnosis of MIDD by utilizing lactate as a screening marker, distinguishing it from other diabetic conditions based on significantly elevated urinary lactate levels.

Implementation Method 1

The reagent for detecting lactate comprises the reagent required for detecting lactate by one or more methods selected from the group consisting of: chromatography, titration, colorimetry, enzymatic analysis, and optical probe method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

the reagent for detecting lactate comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of: an antibody, a lactate dehydrogenase, a lactate oxidase, a lactate binding protein or a functional variant thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

the reagent for detecting lactate comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of: an antibody, a lactate dehydrogenase, a lactate oxidase, a lactate binding protein or a functional variant thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMolecular binding: Adsorption

Implementation Method 4

the functional variant of the lactate binding protein comprises a lactate optical probe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentEP4585923A1Method and kit for diagnosing midd
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 EAST CHINA UNIV OF SCI & TECH
  • EP4585923A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4585923A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP4585923A1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method and a kit for diagnosing MIDD. Specifically, provided is a method for diagnosing MIDD, which comprises the following steps: (1) detecting lactic acid in urine; and (2) comparing same with the control level. The method of the present invention is simple and fast, has accurate results, and can be used for point-of-care detection of patients with MIDD.