Ipa as a therapeutic agent, as a protective agent, and as a biomarker of disease risk

Abstract

Indole-3-propionic acid as a marker and for treatment for Huntington Disease.

1 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A method for protecting an animal about to be subjected to high risk of physical injury against neurological damage, which comprises administering to said animal before said exposure Indole-3-propionic acid, indole lactic acid, or a salt, ester or protein complex or marginally bound preparation thereof, in a suitable carrier. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein said risk comprises contact sports or battle, and said animal comprises a human. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein said Indole-3-propionic acid or indole lactic acid is administered at a rate of from 1 to 1500 mg per day. 
     
     
         50 . A method for monitoring changes in a healthy state of an individual comprising monitoring changes in the gut microbiome from a foot print of the gut microbiome in the blood, urine or feces of said individual. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , comprising the steps of:
 acquiring a sample of fecal material on toilet paper and immersing the sample in a stabilizing solution;   subjecting the sample to survey LCE, MS and LCEC/MS parallel techniques to create a sample profile;   taking ratios of all compounds in the profile and comparing the ratios to said individual's prior sample or a data base of samples using statistical modeling to determine a category of the individual and changes in the aggregate composition of the gut microbiome as a result of intervention.   
     
     
         52 - 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . A method for increasing levels of Indole-3-propionic acid in normal individuals which comprises supplementing the individual's diet with Indole-3-propionic acid, indole lactic acid, or a salt, ester or protein complex or marginally bound preparation thereof, in a suitable carrier. 
     
     
         55 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . A method of assessing the disease risk of an individual comprising monitoring changes in the gut microbiome from a foot print of the gut microbiome in the blood, urine or feces of said individual, and assigning that individual to the lower quartiles of the distribution of normal values carrying the highest degree of risk. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 :
 acquiring a sample of fecal material on toilet paper and immersing the sample in a stabilizing solution;   subjecting the sample to survey LCE, MS and LCEC/MS parallel techniques to create a sample profile;   taking ratios of all compounds in the profile and comparing the ratios to said individual's prior sample or a data base of samples using statistical modeling to determine a category of the individual and changes in the aggregate composition of the gut microbiome as a result of intervention.   
     
     
         59 . A method for modifying the risk of an individual developing neurodegenerative disease, hypertension, stroke or ischemic heart diseases or for ameliorating the effects of head injury, which comprises administering to said individual a composition which comprises indole-3-propionic acid, indole lactic acid or a mixture of indole-3-propionic acid and indole lactic acid or a salt or ester or protein complex or inorganically bound preparation thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , including the step of monitoring the efficacy of said administration by monitoring changes in the gut microbiome from a foot print of the gut microbiome in the blood, urine or feces of said individual.