Prophylactic use of inulin against sinusitis

Abstract

The present invention relates to an inulin composition comprising GF n - and F m -compounds, in particular for decreasing the risk of sinusitis, preferably for use in the prophylaxis of sinusitis in a subject in need thereof and food, beverages and pharmaceutical compositions containing the inulin composition.

1 . An inulin composition comprising GF n - and F m -compounds which composition comprises 25 to 40 wt.-% (dry matter, based on total mass of carbohydrates) of compounds having a DP≥11 (degree of polymerization), 15 to 30 wt.-% (dry matter, based on total mass of carbohydrates) of F m  compounds with m=2 to 9, wherein the DP Av  (average degree of polymerization) of the inulin composition is 6.5 to 9. 
     
     
         2 . The inulin composition according to  claim 1  for decreasing the risk of sinusitis in a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The inulin composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the risk of sinusitis is decreased by at least 33% in a group of subjects in need thereof compared to a group of placebo-treated subjects. 
     
     
         4 . The inulin composition according to  claim 1  for use in the prophylaxis of sinusitis in a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The inulin composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the subject in need thereof is a human at an age of at least three years. 
     
     
         6 . The inulin composition according to  claim 5 , wherein the subject in need thereof is a human at an age from three to six years. 
     
     
         7 . The inulin composition according to  claim 1 , which comprises 30 to 38 wt.-% (dry matter, based on total mass of carbohydrates) of compounds having a DP≥11. 
     
     
         8 . The inulin composition according to  claim 1 , which comprises 20 to 28 wt.-% (dry matter, based on total mass of carbohydrates) of F m  compounds with m=2 to 9. 
     
     
         9 . The inulin composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the DP Av  is 7 to 8. 
     
     
         10 . The inulin composition according to  claim 1 , comprising 50 to 70 wt.-% GF n - and F m -compounds with a DP 3 to 10 and 30 to 40 wt.-% GF n -compounds with a DP≥11 (each based on dry matter and on total mass of carbohydrates). 
     
     
         11 . The inulin composition according to  claim 1 , comprising 80 to 99 wt.-% GF n - and F m -compounds and 1 to 20 wt.-% monosaccharides and sucrose (each based on weight of dry matter and total mass of carbohydrates). 
     
     
         12 . The inulin composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is for use in a dosage from 5 to 15 g/per day for adults. 
     
     
         13 . The inulin composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is for use in a dosage from 2.5 to 15 g/per day for children. 
     
     
         14 . The inulin composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is for use over an administration period from 1 to 8 months. 
     
     
         15 . A food, beverage or pharmaceutical composition comprising the inulin composition according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . The inulin composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the subject in need thereof is a human at an age of at least three years. 
     
     
         17 . The inulin composition according to  claim 16 , wherein the subject in need thereof is a human at an age from three to six years. 
     
     
         18 . The inulin composition according  claim 10 , comprising 55 to 65 wt.-%, GF n - and F m  compounds with a DP 3 to 10 and 35 to 39 wt.-%, GF n -compounds with a DP≥11.