Urinary Metabolite Profiling for Accessible Gut Microbiota Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods for determining functional changes in the human gut microbiota are complex and require advanced molecular biology techniques, making them inaccessible for simple and accurate analysis of functional alterations.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic method analyzing a urine sample for specific metabolites such as tryptophan derivatives, D-lactate, D-Arabinitol, 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylpropionate, Lipopolysaccharide, and trimethylamine oxide using HPLC or HPLC/MS/MS to provide a clear picture of microbiota changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If modern molecular biology techniques (HTS, metabarcoding) are used to characterize gut microbiota, then the accuracy and comprehensiveness of microbiota analysis is improved, but the complexity of the diagnostic method and accessibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and measures specific metabolite biomarkers (indican, scatol, and other urinary metabolites) that directly reflect gut microbiota functional activity. Instead of analyzing the entire microbiota community through complex sequencing, the method isolates and quantifies key metabolic products that serve as proxies for microbiota composition and function, thereby simplifying the diagnostic approach while maintaining functional assessment accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses urinary metabolites as intermediary biomarkers that mediate between the complex gut microbiota ecosystem and the diagnostic measurement. These metabolites (indican, scatol, etc.) serve as intermediate indicators that translate microbiota composition into measurable urinary substances, allowing indirect but functional assessment of microbiota status through simple urine analysis rather than direct microbiota characterization
2Loss of information
If comprehensive metabolite analysis is performed to assess gut microbiota function, then the diagnostic information quality is improved, but the analytical complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex task of gut microbiota assessment into analysis of specific, discrete metabolite biomarkers (indican, scatol, and selected other urinary metabolites). Rather than attempting to measure all microbiota functions simultaneously, the method divides the diagnostic process into targeted measurement of individual metabolites that each provide specific functional information, making the overall diagnostic approach more manageable and accessible
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific metabolites that provide information about particular regions or functions of the gut microbiota. For example, indican specifically reflects small intestine microbiota activity while scatol reflects large intestine microbiota activity. This targeted approach to measuring specific metabolites for specific functional assessments reduces overall analytical complexity while preserving diagnostically critical information
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
Enables a simple, accurate, and accessible diagnostic method for determining functional changes in the gut microbiota, facilitating tailored preventive and therapeutic interventions.
Implementation Method 1
The diagnostic method employs HPLC or HPLC/MS/MS to analyze a urine sample for specific metabolites
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a diagnostic method for determining functional alterations of the human intestinal microbiota, where said determination is made by analysis of particular and selected metabolites present in urine.