Intelligent delivery of ingested and absorbed molecules

Abstract

The present application is concerned with methods for increasing the bioavailability and/or activity of agents and in particular allows selective targeting of an agent to, or via, the liver or allows the liver to be bypassed. By selecting which of saturated fatty acids (SFA), short chain fatty acids (SCFA), medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and long chain fatty acids (LCFA) are present in a composition and which predominates it is possible to substantially boost bioavailability and also to selectively target whether an agent is delivered to, or via, the liver or alternatively bypasses the liver. The approach is a versatile platform technology which may be applied to agents in general helping achieve better and more efficient delivery. In one preferred embodiment particular carotenoids are employed to further influence whether delivery is to, or via, the liver, or bypasses the liver.

1 . A method for treating or preventing a disease or a disorder, the method comprising:
 administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition or a nutraceutical composition including a hydrophobic agent as an active agent and at least one fatty acid capable of targeting the pharmaceutical composition or the nutraceutical composition to a liver;   wherein the at least one fatty acid includes at least one acid selected from the group consisting of saturated fatty acid, short chain fatty acid, and middle chain fatty acid;   wherein the disease or disorder includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of a liver disorder, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, liver-associated inflammation, and oxidative damage.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fatty acid includes saturated fatty acid. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the saturated fatty acid includes cocoa butter. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic agent includes at least one of carotenoid, polyphenol, statin, phospholipid, or essential fatty acid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the hydrophobic agent includes one or more of lycopene, catechin, trans-resveratrol, phosphatidylcholine, coenzyme Q10, or DHA. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the hydrophobic agent includes lycopene, and wherein the disease or disorder includes at least one of inflammation, oxidative damage, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the hydrophobic agent includes essential fatty acid, and wherein the disorder includes one or more of high triglycerides, high cholesterol, or high LDL. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the essential fatty acid includes Omega 3 or derivatives thereof, comprising at least one of DHA or EPA. 
     
     
         9 . A method for treating a disease or disorder, the method comprising:
 administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition or a nutraceutical composition including a hydrophobic agent as an active agent and at least one fatty acid capable of targeting the pharmaceutical composition to the lymph system, bypassing the liver;   wherein the at least one fatty acid includes at least one acid selected from the group consisting of polyunsaturated fatty acid, long chain fatty acid, and monounsaturated fatty acid;   wherein the disease or disorder includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hypoxia, benign prostate hyperplasia, inflammation, and LDL-peroxidation.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one fatty acid includes polyunsaturated fatty acid. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the hydrophobic agent includes a carotenoid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the hydrophobic agent includes one or more of lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin, or astaxanthin. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the hydrophobic agent includes lycopene, and wherein the disease or disorder includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of oxidative stress, elevated cystolic and diastolic blood pressure, hypoxia, and benign prostate hyperplasia. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the hydrophobic agent includes astaxanthin, and wherein the disease or disorder includes inflammation or oxidative stress. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the hydrophobic agent includes lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin, and the disease or disorder includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of vision deterioration, hypoxia, and oxidative stress. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one fatty acid includes monounsaturated fatty acid; wherein the hydrophobic agent includes lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin; and wherein the disease or disorder includes LDL-peroxidation.