| Category | FoodTech and Nutrition |
| Keywords | Probiotics, |
| Current development stage | General list: TRL4 Technology validated in lab |
| Collaboration Opportunity | Sponsored Research with an option to License Research Results |
Abstract
The researchers have developed a probiotic that overexpresses and secretes the ADH4 enzyme to protect from diet-induced obesity, metabolic impairment and irritable bowel syndrome.
Background
The mammalian intestinal system is occupied by diverse microbiota, with a population of 1010–1014 that imparts several immunologic and protective functions. Many diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and certain types of cancers are associated with intestinal microbiota disorders. Furthermore, metabolic disorders such as liver cancer, fatty liver disease (NASH), inflammatory bowel disease, are similar in that they lack the ADH4 enzyme which in healthy people processes ethanol, and other metabolites including retinol, hydroxysteroids, and lipid peroxidation products.
People suffering from these diseases are very sensitive to acute consumption of ethanol and various gut microbes process some foods into alcohols that can chronically exacerbate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in sensitive populations.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 8-11% of the general population and it is the most common functional gastrointestinal (GI) disease.
Our Innovation
The researchers have genetically modified a probiotic bacteria to over-produce the ADH4 enzyme to breakdown alcohol and other toxic metabolites in the gut thereby removing the toxic metabolites from exposure to internal organs.
The published findings showed in mice models show that ADH4-secreting B. subtilis displayed:
- a significant reduction of blood sugar (hyperglycemic effect),
- reduction LDL – bad cholesterol content (anti-hypercholesterolemic effect)
- weight and fat content
The researchers suggest that the study provides valuable insight into counteracting metabolic abnormalities which could be applied to the prevention of liver injuries, diabetes and obesity and as such this is a novel strategy for disease prevention.
Technology
The researchers intend to use this therapeutic platform to cure metabolic disease by targeting toxic metabolites in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. They will use this GM bacterium to prevent pre-diabetes conditions, to lower weight gain, protect the liver and relieve IBS symptoms. This bacteria has excellent resistance to heat and acid treatments and can colonize the GI tract for three days. Therefore, this is an excellent therapeutic system, that can deliver the ADH4 enzyme to the target site with colonizing (long lasting effects).
The findings were published in Explore Dig Dis. 2022;1:118–36.
Opportunity
In 2019 the first Genetically Modified Probiotic hit retail stores in the USA and paved the way for additional GM probiotics (https://zbiotics.com/).
The researchers are looking for an industry partner that will sponsor additional research and commercialize the first probiotic aimed at relieving high blood glucose, metabolic liver diseases and IBS symptoms using this novel probiotic approach.
Patents & Publications
The findings were published in Explore Dig Dis. 2022;1:118–36.
A provisional patent application was submitted.
