Vaginal Cell-Adhesive Bacteria for Hydrogen Peroxide Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current probiotic supplements are ineffective in promoting desired health effects for every individual due to varying microbiota compositions, and there is a need for more specific, personally tailored products that can efficiently mediate health benefits, particularly for urogenital disorders.
Innovation Solution
Development of bacterial strains with high vaginal cell adhesion affinity, hydrogen peroxide production, acid and bile tolerance, and specific metabolites, which are combined in probiotic compositions to enhance intestinal mucosal immunity and inhibit urogenital pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional probiotic supplements are used, then general probiotic effects are provided, but they are ineffective for every individual due to varying microbiota compositions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects specific Lactobacillus strains with particular functional properties (acid tolerance, bile tolerance, adhesion capability, H2O2 production) tailored to the specific needs of urogenital health, rather than using generic probiotic mixtures. This localized selection of strains with specific qualities ensures personalized effectiveness while maintaining reliable health benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent defines specific quantitative parameters for strain selection including acid tolerance (pH 2.5 survival), bile tolerance (0.3% and 0.9% bile survival), adhesion capability (binding affinity to vaginal epithelial cells), and H2O2 production levels. By establishing these precise parameter thresholds, the patent ensures consistent selection of strains that will reliably provide health benefits across different individuals.
2Reliability
If probiotic strains with high vaginal cell adhesion affinity are selected, then urogenital pathogen colonization is inhibited, but strain selection becomes more specific and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the strain selection process into distinct functional segments or criteria: acid tolerance, bile tolerance, adhesion capability, and H2O2 production. Each segment represents an independent selection criterion that can be evaluated separately, making the overall complex selection process more manageable and systematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent selects Lactobacillus strains that possess multiple functional properties simultaneously - they must tolerate acid and bile, adhere to vaginal epithelial cells, and produce H2O2. This multi-functional requirement ensures that a single strain selection process achieves multiple objectives (survival through GI tract, colonization of vagina, and pathogen inhibition), reducing the need for separate interventions.
3Reliability
If bacteria with acid and bile tolerance are selected, then gastrointestinal tract survival is improved, but the range of suitable strains is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses Lactobacillus helveticus LH0138 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 as reference strains with known functional properties. These reference strains serve as templates or copies against which new strains are compared and evaluated, ensuring that selected strains meet the required functional thresholds without needing to explore the entire space of possible bacterial variants.
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 selected bacterial strains and metabolites improve urogenital health by enhancing vaginal immunity, reducing pathogen colonization, and increasing the ascension of probiotic bacteria to the vagina, providing effective prevention and treatment of urogenital disorders.
Implementation Method 1
One potential mechanism for pathogen inhibition by probiotic strains is production of hydrogen peroxide production
Implementation Method 2
Another potential mechanism is the production of lactic acid, bacteoricins and other microbial metabolites by the probiotic strains
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to bacteria and metabolites thereof that are capable of binding to vaginal cells and producing hydrogen peroxide, their use in probiotic compositions and food products and methods for their selection. The invention also relates to the use of said bacteria, metabolites and probiotic compositions for the prevention and/or treatment of urogenital disorders.