Methods of treating impaired glucose metabolism via administration of algal biomass

• US 9,345,730 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2014
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corbion Biotech, Inc. (Corbion NV)
• Original Assignee: Solazyme Inc., University of Manitoba
• Inventors: Brinkmann, David, Day, Anthony G., Jones, Peter J. H., Harding, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Ariani, Kade
• Application Number:
  US14/266,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20140328906A1
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 33/105 Plant extracts, their artificial duplicates or their derivatives
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/202 having three or more double bonds, e.g. linolenic eicosanoids, e.g. leukotrienes A61K31/557
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/02 Algae
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/05 Chlorophycota or chlorophyta (green algae), e.g. Chlorella
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/04 Anorexiants; Antiobesity agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/08 for glucose homeostasis pancreatic hormones A61P5/48

Abstract

The invention is directed to methods of using Chlorella protothecoides microalgal biomass in the treatment of individuals having impaired glucose metabolism. In some cases, the patient has impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or diabetes. In some methods, algal biomass is used to reduce blood glucose and/or body fat in a subject, or to increase the relative abundance of beneficial gut microflora in a subject. In preferred embodiments, the biomass is derived from Chlorella protothecoides cultures grown heterotrophically in which the algal cells comprise at least 15% algal oil by dry weight.

Claims

1. A method of increasing the relative abundance of beneficial gut microflora in a subject, comprising determining the subject would benefit from a greater abundance of beneficial gut microflora and then administering to the subject an effective regime of Chlorella protothecoides microalgal biomass comprising at least 15% algal oil by dry weight, whereby the relative abundance of beneficial gut microflora is increased as compared to the relative abundance before administering the regime.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the algal biomass contains 25-75%, of algal oil by dry weight.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least 50% by weight of the algal oil is monounsaturated oil.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein less than 5% by weight of the algal oil is docosahexanoic acid (DHA).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the algal oil is predominantly encapsulated in cells of the biomass.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the biomass is administered as a homogenate.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the regime comprises administering the algal biomass at a dose of 1-20% of food by weight or calories.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the algal biomass is administered daily for at least a week.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the algal biomass is administered with at least one other edible ingredient as a food composition.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the regime additionally lowers the percentage fat of total body weight in the subject relative to the percentage before the administering step.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the algal biomass is derived from Chlorella protothecoides grown heterotrophically.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the Chlorella protothecoides is grown in a culture medium including a feedstock comprising at least one carbon substrate selected from the group consisting of a depolymerized cellulosic material, a 5-carbon sugar, and a 6-carbon sugar.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the algal biomass is administered in the form of a tablet or capsule.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the algal biomass is administered in the form of a food product.