Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07J—STEROIDS
  • C07J9/00—Normal steroids containing carbon, hydrogen, halogen or oxygen substituted in position 17 beta by a chain of more than two carbon atoms, e.g. cholane, cholestane, coprostane
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
  • A61K31/56—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P3/00—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism
  • A61P3/06—Antihyperlipidemics

Definitions

• the present invention generally relates to compounds for use as dietary supplements that help lower serum cholesterol in humans. More particularly, the present invention relates to compounds created by from the combination, through processes such as esterification, of plant sterols or stanols with specific cholesterol- lowering fatty acids, such as stearic acid.
• Elevated serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is a primary risk factor for atherosclerotic diseases, including coronary heart disease and stroke, See American Heart Association (2000), AHA dietary guidelines, Revision 2000: A statement for healthcare professionals from the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association, Circulation 102: 2296-2311, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Reducing serum cholesterol concentration significantly reduces the risk of these diseases. Consequently, current dietary and drug therapies are designed to lower serum LDL cholesterol levels.
• stanols Plant sterols and stanols, hereinafter referred to as plant sterols (stanols), lower blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol (dietary and endogenously-produced), primarily from the small intestine.
• This inhibition capability is related to the similarity of the plant sterols (stanols) in their physico- chemical properties to that of cholesterol.
• One generally accepted mechanism by which this inhibition occurs is through competition for space in mixed micelles.
• Plant sterols are similar in structure to cholesterol but are not made by the human body. Plant sterols (stanols) elicit their cholesterol-lowering effects by blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine, See Lees, A. M., Mok, H. Y. L, Lees, R. S., McCluskey, M. A., & Grundy, S. M.
• Plant sterols are naturally occurring substances/components found in plants and wood pulp. Plant sterols can be obtained from plant oil sources, such as vegetable oils and tall oil from the wood pulp industry. Various methods of isolation, extraction and recovery of plant sterols have been patented, See U.S. Patent Nos. 3,993,156; 2,835,682; 2,866,797; 3,691,211 ; and 4,420,427, which are herein inco ⁇ orated by reference in their entireties.
• the present invention provides a novel compound which combines the naturally occurring cholesterol lowering properties of a plant substance, such as plant sterols (stanols), with those of fatty acids, more particularly stearic acid, resulting in a synergistic increase in the lowering of LDL cholesterol. It is an object of the present invention to block cholesterol abso ⁇ tion at the intestinal wall of the small intestine.
• the cholesterol lowering properties of the present invention may manifest in various mechanisms as contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art.
• the novel compound of the present invention may compete for binding sites with cholesterol at the intestinal wall (competition with mixed micelles) and/or interfere with micelle formation.
• the novel compound of the present invention acts entirely within the gastrointestinal tract, particularly within the small intestine, and is excreted through the digestive system.
• the plant sterol(s) (stanol(s)) and fatty acid(s) combination of the present invention avoids being absorbed into various other systems, such as the vascular system, thereby, avoiding toxicity concerns associated with many currently available cholesterol lowering drug therapies.
• the present invention allows for the natural cholesterol lowering properties found in the plant sterol (stanol) and fatty acids to be combined in a novel compound, the compound being capable of existing in various states, such as a solid or liquid.
• the delivery of the novel compound of the present invention may occur via ingestion of the solid or liquid form of the compound, which may increase the effectiveness of receipt of this compound into the gastrointestinal tract of the digestive system of an animal, including mammals, such as human beings, and may assist in lowering serum cholesterol in humans.
• FIG. 1 is an illustration of a stearic acid molecule, a plant sterol molecule, and the resultant product of their esterification, a plant sterol ester;
• FIG. 1 is an illustration of a stearic acid molecule, a plant sterol molecule, and the resultant product of their esterification, a plant sterol ester;
• FIG. 2 is a table illustrating the plasma and liver cholesterol in hamsters fed plant sterol esters
• FIG. 3 is a table illustrating the daily cholesterol output and input in hamsters fed plant sterol esters
• FIG. 4 is a table illustrating the daily cholesterol abso ⁇ tion and excretion in hamsters fed plant sterol esters
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a method of receiving a novel compound of the present invention by an animal
• FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing a novel compound in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a second exemplary method of manufacturing a novel compound of the present invention.
• the novel cholesterol lowering compound of the present invention is a plant sterol ester, as shown in FIG. 1.
• the plant sterol ester includes a fatty acid, in particular a stearic acid, esterified to a plant based cholesterol reducing substance, in particular a plant sterol.
• plant stanols another plant based cholesterol reducing substance, may be esterified by fatty acids, such as the stearic acid.
• the plant based cholesterol reducing substance will hereinafter be referred to as a plant sterol (stanol), unless otherwise specifically indicated.
• a plant sterol (stanol) unless otherwise specifically indicated.
• the stearic acid utilized for the esterification of the plant sterol is a purified stearic acid.
• the esterification of the fatty acid (stearic acid) to the plant sterol (stanol) may promote the incorporation of the novel compound of the present invention into various nutritional delivery systems, such as food products for consumption by human beings.
• the present invention provides a compound which achieves synergistic cholesterol lowering results in animals, such as mammals including human beings, livestock, companion animals and the like, by utilizing the natural cholesterol lowering properties of both a plant sterol (stanol) and fatty acid (stearic acid).
• the plant sterol (stanol) may be esterified by a fatty acid including stearic acid, wherein the fatty acid may exist in various forms, such as a mono-glyceride, di-glyceride, and tri-glyceride.
• These forms of the fatty acid may be contained within whole fat/oil or blends thereof, which include a mixture of fatty acids, such as stearic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, trans fatty acid, cis oleic acid, or linoleic acid.
• the whole fat/oil or blends thereof contain a high proportion (concentration) of stearic acid or are enriched with stearic acid.
• fatty acids which exist in the mono-glyceride, di-glyceride, and tri-glyceride forms allow for the esterification process to proceed. These forms of the fatty acids may be advantageous for use with the present invention because of their relatively easy inco ⁇ oration within various nutritional delivery systems, such as various food products (as an ingredient) and/or food supplements.
• Typical sources of fatty acids may include various oils and fats, such as beef tallow, cocoa butter, cupu assu kernel oil, dhupa oil, gamboge butter, kokum butter, mango seed oil, sal fat, sequa oil, and sheanut oil. It is contemplated that the various oils and fats may be from either vegetable or animal origin. These sources of fatty acids may provide the fatty acids in mono-glyceride, di-glyceride, tri-glyceride, and phospholipid forms. Further, these sources may naturally contain specific fatty acids, such as stearic acid, for use in the novel compound of the present invention.
• the naturally occurring oils and fats include high proportions (concentrations) or non-negligible amounts of the desired fatty acid, specifically stearic acid. It is to be understood that non-negligible amounts of a fatty acid, such as stearic acid, in the fats and oils may preferably provide a thirty percent (30%) concentration of the fatty acid of interest (stearic acid).
• the non-negligible amount of the desired fatty acid may range from twenty percent (20%) to one hundred percent (100%) concentration in the present invention. Alternatively, the non-negligible amount may range from ten percent (10%) to one hundred percent (100%) concentration.
• a negligible amount of a desired fatty acid, such as stearic acid, from fatty acid sources, such as soybean oil, may contain less than ten percent ( ⁇ 10%) concentration of the desired fatty acid.
• Alternative concentrations of a fatty acid, such as stearic acid may be considered negligible or non-negligible as contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art.
• Typical sources for the plant sterol may include plants and wood pulp. For instance, it is known that soybeans are a rich source of plant sterol. Additionally, plant sterol may be obtained from plant oil sources, such as vegetable oils and tall oil. Alternative sources for plant sterol may be utilized by the present invention as contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
• the present invention contemplates that the fats and oils, which do not contain high proportions or concentrations of a desired fatty acid, such as stearic acid, may be hydrogenated to increase the concentration of the desired fatty acid, thereby, allowing for their use by present invention.
• a desired fatty acid such as stearic acid
• the oil and fat sources of the fatty acids such as vegetable oils (e.g., rapeseed, soybean) and tall oil which have negligible amounts of a desired fatty acid, may be enriched through the hydrogenation process with the desired fatty acids, such as stearic acid.
• the present invention may utilize a broad array of oils and fats as a source, which may or may not contain desired concentrations of specific fatty acids.
• the esterification process shown in FIG. 1 may be any one of the widely utilized and known processes used in the food industry.
• an esterification process that is primarily used in the food industry is a base-catalyzed reaction involving free sterols and fatty acid methyl esters derived from edible oils, See U.S. Patent No. 5,522,045, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• a large excess of fatty acid methyl esters are needed to drive the reaction, which also produces methanol, making the purification to food grade material difficult.
• free sterols can be heated with vegetable oil fatty acids under vacuum without using fatty acid methyl esters, solvents, or catalysts, See U.S. Patent No. 6,410,758, which is herein inco ⁇ orated by reference in its entirety.
• the present invention contemplates ester derivatives of the plant sterol (stanol), which may have increased solubility and dispersibility.
• the compound of the present invention may be delivered via ingestion and received within the digestive system.
• the efficacy of the compound of the present invention within the gastrointestinal tract may be a factor of its solubility and dispersibility.
• Solubility refers to the amount of the compound that may be dissolved within a liquid solution. Increased solubility may allow for an increased amount of the plant based cholesterol reducing substance to be received by an animal, such as a human being, in a single dosage or intake form (i.e., capsule, tablet, supplement, soft gel).
• Dispersibility refers to the breaking up and distribution of the compound when it is received, such as ingestion into the gastrointestinal tract. Increased dispersiblity may allow for an increased spreading of the compound within the digestive system which may lead to an increase in the area of the gastrointestinal tract that includes the compound which may lead to an increase in the blocking of the abso ⁇ tion of cholesterol.
• the novel compound of the present invention may exist in various states, such as a liquid and/or solid.
• the capability of forming the compound of the present invention in these various states may be advantageous for the receipt, delivery, or administration of the novel compound to animals, such as mammals (i.e., human beings), livestock, companion animals, and the like which have digestive systems.
• the compound of the present invention including the plant sterol (stanol) and the fatty acid (stearic acid) may be configured for ingestion in various forms, such as a food supplement, a tablet, a granule, a capsule (i.e., soft gel capsule), a powder, and the like which may assist in increasing the ability of the compound to be received, delivered, or administered within the digestive system.
• the novel compound of the present invention may take the form of an energy bar, or powdery mix which may be blended in with a liquid.
• the plant sterol (stanol) esters made with stearic acid derived from beef tallow exists as a dry powder which ⁇ more easily incorporates into food products than currently available plant sterol (stanol) esters.
• the synergistic cholesterol lowering effects of the novel compound of the present invention are capable of being included within a wide variety of nutritional delivery systems.
• the novel compound of the present invention may be variously configured in an aqueous solution, organic solution, suspension, and emulsion.
• a liquid the compound of the present invention may be more easily included within various beverages or liquid foods.
• the liquid solution may increase the applicability of the compound within various nutritional delivery systems, such as food products, where the liquid compound is preferred over the solid form.
• An emulsified and/or suspended form may also be inco ⁇ orated into various nutritional delivery systems where such forms are preferred.
• the present invention may assist a human being in reducing or lowering their serum LDL cholesterol level through intake into the digestive system of a solid or liquid form of the present invention.
• the novel compound may be useful in therapeutic markets, for example targeting patients with high cholesterol, which may assist in reducing the onset of conditions such as atherosclerosis, and the like. Additional uses pertaining to the treatment of cholesterol and cholesterol related conditions in the livestock/animal food products market and companion animal markets are also within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
• the novel compound of the present invention may be composed of a mixture including a free plant sterol (stanol) and a free fatty acid (stearic acid) form.
• the stearic acid is provided as an agent of a fatty acid which exists in the form of a mono-glyceride, di-glyceride, tri- glyceride, or phospholipid.
• the fatty acid contains a high proportion of stearic acid.
• the fatty acid being employed may contain only negligible amounts of stearic acid but may be enriched with stearic acid.
• the mixture form of the novel compound of the present invention may be advantageous over the esterified form in that it may reduce the amount of processing needed to produce the compound.
• both the esterified form and the mixture form of the novel compound of the present invention provides both the plant sterol (stanol) and the fatty acid (stearic acid) in a form which is capable of providing the advantageous cholesterol lowering properties of the two substances.
• the plant sterol (stanol) and the fatty acid may both promote the blocking of cholesterol abso ⁇ tion.
• the plant sterol (stanol) may promote the blocking of cholesterol abso ⁇ tion by competing for binding sites with cholesterol at the intestinal wall (competition with mixed micelles) and the fatty acid may interfere with micelle formation. It is contemplated that the mechanism of cholesterol absorption blocking promoted by each substance may vary without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
• the plant sterol (stanol) ester functions to block cholesterol absorption.
• Masking the carboxylic functional group of the fatty acid (stearic acid) through esterification to the plant sterol (stanol) may result in an increase in delivery efficiency of the plant sterol (stanol) and stearic acid, or other fatty acids which include naturally occurring cholesterol lowering properties, to the intestine where the cholesterol blocking function of the substances takes place.
• the increased stability and improved solubility and dispersibility of the plant sterol (stanol) and the stearic acid may result in higher concentrations of the component substances in the digestive system, particularly in the intestinal tract, than that which may be achieved through delivery of these components in a non-esterified form.
• the lowering of cholesterol concentrations, in particular serum LDL cholesterol concentrations, through the use of the present invention may be increased through the esterification of the plant sterol (stanol) by the stearic acid.
• the esterified form of the compound may be broken down into its individual component substances by enzymes, such as esterases, present in the digestive system which may convert the plant sterol (stanol) and fatty acid (stearic acid) back into their respective free forms.
• esterases present in the digestive system which may convert the plant sterol (stanol) and fatty acid (stearic acid) back into their respective free forms.
• the free form of both substances being functionally capable of promoting the blocking of cholesterol absorption, as previously described. It is contemplated that a majority of the esterified form will be cleaved into the individual components inside the gastrointestinal tract via the esterase interaction.
• various other enzymes such as gastric lipase, pancreatic lipase, and the like, may cleave off the fatty acids when the fatty acids are in the form of a mono-glyceride, di- glyceride, tri-glyceride, or phospholipid, resulting in free fatty acids and free plant sterol (stanol).
• the compound of the present invention may exhibit advantageous characteristics.
• the compound of the present invention may be delivered via ingestion (oral).
• the esterified compound promotes this ingestible form which may allow for the delivery of more effective amounts of the plant sterol (stanol) and fatty acid of the compound, which may determine its efficacy once introduced into the digestive system.
• the administration of the plant based cholesterol reducing substance alone may be limited in amount due to the natural biologically processing experienced once received within the digestive system.
• the esterified form may allow for an increased amount of the plant based cholesterol reducing substance to be received by an animal, such as a human being.
• the receipt of increased amounts of the esterified plant sterol (stanol) may occur through ingestion of a single intake form (i.e., capsule, tablet, supplement) or through multiple intakes.
• a single intake form i.e., capsule, tablet, supplement
• the present invention has an additional advantage, in that it not only provides a compound having increased cholesterol lowering properties than other products currently available, but it also provides for a compound with increased solubility and other physical characteristics that enhance the ability to inco ⁇ orate the compound into a wider range of food products.
• the present invention involves an esterification process which combines plant based cholesterol reducing substances, such as plant sterols (stanols), with fatty acids, in particular purified stearic acid or a fat/oil including a high proportion of stearic acid or enriched with stearic acid.
• plant sterol (stanol) ester that is combined with fatty acids known to have cholesterol-lowering properties independent of plant sterols.
• the food industry currently utilizes plant sterols (stanols) that are esterified to fatty acids derived from vegetable oils (e.g., rapeseed, soybean) or wood tall oil, which do not contain high concentrations of stearic acid.
• novel plant sterol (stanol) esters may be used as a food ingredient, dietary supplement, or inco ⁇ orated into various nutritional delivery systems in order to assist in lowering serum cholesterol.
• esterifying a typical plant sterol (stanol) with stearic acid results in the novel plant sterol (stanol) ester of the present invention which provides a synergistic cholesterol abso ⁇ tion blocking effect.
• the inco ⁇ oration of plant sterol (stanol) esters such as this in a dietary regimen may provide an increased ability to lower serum cholesterol levels than either the plant sterol (stanol) or the fatty acid (stearic acid) may have independent of the other.
• a group of hamsters fed plant sterol esters which are the compounds created by the esterification of fatty acids, such as purified stearic acid and/or whole fat/oil or blends thereof, such as beef tallow (high proportion of stearic acid) or oils enriched with non-negligible amounts of stearic acid to plant sterols, had significantly reduced plasma total and LDL cholesterol levels compared to hamsters fed plant sterol esters made with alternative fatty acids, such as soybean oil fatty acids which contains negligible amounts of stearic acid.
• alternative fatty acids such as soybean oil fatty acids which contains negligible amounts of stearic acid.
• the present invention may be incorporated into known food products and provide an increased reduction in LDL cholesterol concentration in consumers of these food products.
• the present invention may be inte ⁇ reted to provide beneficial effects in three major areas: (1) Consumers, (2) Food Industry, and (3) Commodities Industry.
• foods containing plant sterol (stanol) esters made with stearic acid, from sources such as beef tallow may be an effective cholesterol lowering tool for consumer. Because the cholesterol lowering ability of these plant sterol (stanol) esters is so effective, they may be considered an alternative to drug therapy for cholesterol reduction. This may reduce consumer costs and the side effects experienced by many users of these cholesterol lowering drugs (prescription or non- prescription).
• the broad application of plant sterol (stanol) esters made with fatty acids, such as stearic acid from sources such as beef tallow may provide consumers a greater number of food choices. Providing healthier food choices for consumers is important for those looking to optimize their diets while maintaining a busy lifestyle.
• the third benefit may be to the Commodities Industry and particularly to the producers of beef and soybeans.
• Combining plant sterols (stanols) with beef tallow fatty acids, which includes non-negligible amounts of stearic acid demonstrates that the present invention provides a useful and "healthful" application for beef tallow which has not been identified or utilized before, and may thus greatly increase the value of tallow surplus which exists.
• the soybean industry may benefit because significant quantities of plant sterol may be produced from soybeans, peanuts, or other naturally occurring sources.
• the isolation of plant sterols from the soybean for example, does not disrupt the processing and application of other soy products, such as soy protein. Therefore, increasing the use of beef tallow and soybeans, for the production of fatty acids and plant sterols, respectively, may add value to a currently underutilized component of these and other related commodities.
• the present invention provides a method of reducing cholesterol 500.
• a product containing the cholesterol lowering compound of the present invention is received by an animal.
• the product may be inco ⁇ orated into various nutritional delivery systems, such as food products which incorporate the compound of the present invention as an ingredient or as a food supplement which contains the novel compound. Further, the product may be incorporated into products designed for ingestion which may promote the delivery of the novel compound into the gastrointestinal tract of the digestive system.
• a product containing the compound of the present invention may be first selected by user. After the selection the user may receive the compound through any of the above identified applications. Further, in an additional step the compound of the present invention may be incorporated into a dietary regimen. The dietary regimen being designed to provide a cholesterol reducing diet to the follower of the dietary regimen. Thus, the compound of the present invention may promote a healthier lifestyle for its users and through lowering cholesterol, may improve the circulation system and reduce the risk of heart disease.
• a method 600 of manufacturing the compound of the present invention is provided. In a first step 610 a plant sterol (stanol) is selected.
• a source may be selected prior to the selection of a plant sterol (stanol) .
• the source may be vegetable (i.e., soybean), plant (i.e., wood tall), and the like, which provide plant sterol (stanol) substances.
• a purified stearic acid is selected as the fatty acid.
• the purified stearic acid may be collected in its free form or come from various fatty acid sources, as described previously.
• the fatty acid source may provide fatty acids in at least one of a mono-glyceride, di-glyceride, and tri-glyceride form, which may be high in stearic acid concentration or through the hydrogenation process may be enriched with stearic acid.
• step 630 the purified stearic acid is esterified to the plant sterol (stanol) to form the compound of the present invention.
• the stearic acid selected may be in the form of a mono-glyceride, di-glyceride, or tri-glyceride and that this fatty acid may be esterified to the plant sterol (stanol).
• a second exemplary method 700 of manufacturing the compound of the present invention is provided.
• a plant sterol (stanol) is selected.
• the plant sterol (stanol) may be derived from various sources, such as vegetables (i.e., soybean), plants (i.e., wood tall), and the like, which are rich sources of plant sterol (stanol).
• a fatty acid source is selected which provides a fatty acid including stearic acid.
• the fatty acid source may provide fatty acids in at least one of a mono-glyceride, di-glyceride, tri-glyceride, and phospholipid form, which may be high in stearic acid concentration or through the hydrogenation process may be enriched with stearic acid.
• the fatty acid is mixed with the plant sterol (stanol) to form the compound of the present invention.
• the various methods of manufacture may further include the step of inco ⁇ orating the compound into a product, such as a food product.
• the manufacturing method may produce the novel compound in a form which may be utilized as an ingredient in foods or in various nutritional delivery forms.
• the manufacturing method may include the step of forming the compound into a food supplement, such as a high energy bar.
• a fatty acid in any of the various forms previously described, having negligible amounts of stearic acid may be enriched with stearic acid and utilized by the present invention.

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