Five and fifteen carbon fatty acids for treating metabolic disorders and as nutritional supplements

Abstract

According to the present invention, acquired metabolic derangements or fatty acid disorders in humans that are manifested by a deficiency in at least one enzyme involved in fatty acid metabolism are treated with a five carbon or a fifteen carbon fatty acid source. Rapid nutritional supplementation can also be provided to a mammalian cell by providing either a five carbon or fifteen carbon fatty acid source. Dietary formulations suitable for human consumption comprising either a five carbon fatty acid, a fifteen carbon fatty acid or triglycerides thereof is also disclosed.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for treating acquired metabolic derangements or fatty acid disorders in humans that are manifested by a deficiency in at least one enzyme involved in fatty acid metabolism, comprising treating said human with a five carbon fatty acid source. 
     
     
         2 . A method for treating fatty acid disorders in humans that are manifested by a deficiency in at least one enzyme involved in fatty acid metabolism, comprising treating said human with a fifteen carbon fatty acid source. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said fatty acid disorder is MCAD. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said fatty acid disorder is SCAD. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said fatty acid disorders are selected from VLCAD, MTP, and LCHAD. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said fatty acid disorder is SCAD. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said fifteen carbon fatty acid is administered orally. 
     
     
         8 . A method for providing rapid nutritional supplementation to a mammalian cell, comprising providing a five carbon fatty acid source to said cell. 
     
     
         9 . A method for providing rapid nutritional supplementation to a mammalian cell, comprising providing a fifteen carbon fatty acid source to said cell. 
     
     
         10 . A method for providing nutritional supplementation to a human or animal, comprising providing a fatty acid source comprising five carbons, administered enterally or parenterally. 
     
     
         11 . A method for providing nutritional supplementation to a human or animal, comprising providing a fatty acid source comprising fifteen carbons, administered enterally or parenterally. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said administration is oral. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said acquired metabolic derangement concerns increased metabolic needs by cardiac tissue. 
     
     
         14 . A dietary formulation suitable for human consumption comprising an odd numbered carbon chain fatty acid selected from the group consisting of five carbon fatty acids and fifteen carbon fatty acids and triglycerides thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The dietary formulation of  claim 14 , wherein said fatty acid is pentanoic acid. 
     
     
         16 . The dietary formulation of  claim 14  or  15 , wherein said formulation is adapted for consumption by a human during a 24 hour time period and comprises from about 15 to about 40% of the dietary caloric requirement of said human for said 24 hour time period. 
     
     
         17 . The dietary formulation of  claim 14  or  15  wherein said formulation is adapted for consumption by a human during a 24 hour time period and comprises from about 20 to about 35% of the dietary caloric requirement of said human for said 24 hour time period. 
     
     
         18 . The dietary formulation of  claim 14  or  15 , wherein said formulation is adapted for consumption by a human during a 24 hour time period and comprises about 25-35% of the dietary caloric requirement of said human for said 24 hour time period. 
     
     
         19 . The dietary formulation of any of  claims 14 - 18 , wherein said formulation is suitable for enteral administration. 
     
     
         20 . The dietary formulation of any of  claims 14 - 18 , wherein said formulation is suitable for parenteral administration. 
     
     
         21 . The dietary formulation of  claim 14 ,  16 ,  17  or  18  wherein said formulation is suitable for oral consumption.