COMPOSITION OR MEDICAL FOOD TO EXTRACT THE DIETARY IRON AND BOOST ITS BIOAVAILABILITY FOR IRON DEFICIENCY (ID) AND ID-ANEMIA

Abstract

Pharmaceutical and nutritional composition comprising maltol and/or ethyl maltol for use in the therapy of iron deficiency (ID) and ID-anemia (IDA). The iron-free composition produce an efficient extraction of dietary non-heme iron from ingested food, being designed either as stand-alone maltol and/or etyl maltol-containing oral products, or potentiated by digestive enzymes, hematinic vitamins, copper or other iron-transportpromoters. The inventive compositions prevent gut iron overload typically occurring during therapy by oral iron, which translates into lowered oxidative stress and dysbiosis. The inventive compositions are therefore particularly indicated in IDA subjects intolerant to oral or intravenous (IV) iron.

Claims

1. Method of treating iron deficiency (ID) or ID-anaemia with maltol or ethyl maltol, said method comprising: a) orally administering a therapeutically effective amount of said maltol or said ethyl maltol along with main meals to improve bioavailability and absorption of the dietary non-heme iron; b) orally administering of said maltol or said ethyl maltol in substantial absence of supplementary iron; c) orally administering said maltol or said ethyl maltol oral an iron deficient subject intolerant/reactive to intestinal iron overload.

2. A method of treating or preventing iron deficient anemia in subjects in need thereof, said method comprising administering maltol and/or ethyl maltol in substantial absence of supplemental iron (iron free) to said subjects.

3. The method according to claim 2 comprising administering said maltol and/or said ethyl maltol in amount higher than 20 mg/dose.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said maltol, said ethyl maltol or mix thereof are in amount from 50 to 500 mg/dose.

5. The method according to claim 2, comprising administering from 50 to 250 mg per serving of maltol, ethyl maltol or mixture thereof.

6. The method according to claim 2 to further comprising administering a classic or non-classic digestive enzyme.

7. The method according to claim 2 further comprising administering a cupric compound.

8. The method according to claim 2 further comprising administering at least a hematinic vitamin.

9. The method according to claim 2, wherein said iron deficiency or ID-anaemia is driven by gastrointestinal or genital bleeding, intestinal malabsorption, ulcerative or infective inflammation, use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, chronic kidney disease, cardiac insufficiency, and combination thereof.

10. The method according to claim 2, wherein said subjects suffering from iron deficiency or ID-anaemia are cologic patients.

11. The method according to claim 2 wherein said subjects comprise women in fertile age with increased demand due to consistent urogenital bleeding (metrorrhagia, endometriosis, etc.), pregnancy or lactation.

12. The method according to claim 2, wherein said subjects suffer of chronic kidney disease (CKD), congestive heart failure (CHR), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or combination thereof.

13. The method according to claim 2 comprising orally administering said maltol or said ethyl maltol oral to an iron deficient subject intolerant/reactive to intestinal iron overload.

14. Composition comprising maltol and/or ethyl maltol in amount higher than 20 mg/dose, an amount of iron that is not higher than 1 meq per mmole of maltol and/or ethyl maltol and physiologically acceptable vehicles, excipients and diluents.

15. Composition according to claim 14, wherein maltol, ethyl maltol or mix thereof are in amount from 50 to 500 mg/dose.

16. Composition according to claim 15, comprising inorganic salts of maltol or ethylmaltol, said salts comprising Na, Li, Mg and ammonium.

17. Composition according to claim 15, comprising maltol or ethylmaltol salts of an organic base selected from pharmacologic acceptable amines selected from the group consisting of isopropopylamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethanolamine, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, tromethamine, lysine, arginine, glucosamine, and mixtures thereof.

18. Composition according to claim 15 further comprising a digestive enzyme.

19. Composition according to claim 15 further comprising a cupric compound and/or a hematinic vitamin.

20. Composition according to claim 15 comprising a medical food selected from condiment oil and sauces, butter and fat spread.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a competition (cell free) test on Fe.sup.III of maltol/ethyl maltol versus antinutrients, either as such or upon co-treatment with specific digestive enzymes.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows the digestion/extraction test of iron from vegetal food by maltol/ethyl maltol.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows the expression of ferritin in Caco2 cells contacted with the digestate if FIG. 3.

[0023] FIG. 5 shows the physic-chemical distribution (A), and the expression of ferritin from Caco2 cells (B) in contact with model synthetic iron absorption-promoters and iron sources.

[0024] FIG. 6 resume the sequence protocol of the ID-induced animal model.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The term composition refers to a broad variety of medicinal products in dosage form including nutritional supplements, pharmaceutical products for human and animals (veterinary scope). It also extends to medicinal food including functional food, food for special medical purpose, and the like.

[0026] The inventive composition is characterized by a digestive function, i.e. conceived for oral administration along (in concomitance) with main meals to increased the bioavailability of dietary non-heme iron. Concomitance means administration soon after the start of a meal (preferably), or around hour to 1 hour before, or hour after.

[0027] The expression iron free or substantially iron-free refers to the reduced presence, or marginal or in trace of exogenous/supplementary iron within the composition. It means that the inventive composition may have a limited content of ferrous or ferric atoms, preferably not higher than 1 meq per mmole of maltol o ethyl maltol. Note that an aliquot of Fe could be the impurity in the raw material, or from colorants based on iron oxides (eg tablet coating).

[0028] Maltol and ethyl maltol are -pyrones homolog, are aroma chemical that confer a toasted note to bakeries, classified as E 636 e E 637 in flavor industry. Maltol for the inventive purpose may be either of natural as it occurs in plant such as larch tree, pine needles, ginseng (Jeong A C et al. Pharmacogn Mag 2015; 11(43): 657-664) and in artifacts like roasted coffee or via chemical origin, the sintethic origin being mandatory for ethyl maltol.

[0029] Maltol and ethyl maltol may be presented as such or in hydrated, solvated or in salt form. The salt forms, named maltolates, may be produced by acid-base exchange to form addition salt with physiologically acceptable cations. Salts of inorganic base include Na, Li, Mg, ammonium e other cationic ions which may allow the formation of 3:1 maltol-iron complex. Salts of organic base include maltolates of a variety of physiologic or pharmacologic acceptable amines such as isopropopylamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethanolamine, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, tromethamine, lysine, arginine, glucosamine, and the like.

[0030] In preferred embodiment, the inventive composition comprising maltol and/or ethyl maltol is a fast-releasing oral form completed with physiologically acceptable vehicle, excipients and diluent obtainable by a number of ordinary technics.

[0031] The digestive compositions according to the invention may be prepared as oral dosage forms by suitable manufacturing method, thus can include customary physiologically acceptable excipients to obtain a palatable fast-dissolving preparation.

[0032] The physiologically acceptable excipient can be solid diluents (e.g. Na/Ca carbonates, lactose), disintegrants (e.g. cornstarch), granulating agents, lubricants (e.g. Mg stearate, talc), binders (e.g. starch, gelatine), thickeners (e.g. paraffin, waxes), flavouring agents, colouring agents, wetting agents, emulsifying agents, dispensing agents, preservatives (e.g. parabens, benzoic and sorbic acid), isotonic agents (e.g. sugar, NaCl), fillers, sweeteners, antioxidants, coating materials, buffering agent, and combination thereof.

[0033] The composition of invention may be medicinal, i.e. pharmaceutical or nutraceutical preparation obtainable by conventional techniques. Examples of suitable unit dosage forms are tablets, capsules, coated pills, powders in sachets, powder in packets, granules, wafers, as well as liquid preparations. The composition of invention may use solid, semi-solid, or liquid vehicle/carriers to facilitate the delivery of the active ingredient(s).

[0034] In an embodiment, the amount of maltol and/or ethyl maltol in the dosed composition varies from 15 to 1500 mg per unit dose, preferably from 25 to 500 mg or more preferably from 50 to 500 mg per unit dose, even more preferably from 165 to 220 mg per unit dose.

[0035] Maltol and ethyl maltol may be used separately, or as combination thereof, e.g. at maltol/ethyl maltol ratio from 1:200 to 100:2 w/w in total amount as stated before.

[0036] Dose adjustment must be considered in case of low or high, opposite body masses, such as for subjects in pediatric age or in overweight/obese, where the dosed amount of maltol and/or ethyl maltol shall be calculated at 0.1-10 mg/body weight, preferably at 2-5 mg/body weight.

[0037] In an embodiment, the inventive composition is a medical food with an anti-anemic (anti-IDA) purpose enriched with maltol and/or etilmaltol. Typical such medical foods are condiment oil and sauces, butter and fat spread, and the like.

[0038] Exemplary condiment oil are olive oil, corn oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, peanuts oil, grape seed oil, soy bean oil, or other edible oils comprising maltol and/or etilmaltol obtained by dissolution at ambient temperature or upon mild heating maltol and/or (preferably) ethyl maltol final amount around 0.1-0.2% w/w or higher.

[0039] Exemplary condiments are kectchup, mayonnaise, tartar sauce, tuna fish etc. comprising maltol and/or ethyl maltol solubilized in the oil phase or suspended in the emulsion.

[0040] The amount of maltol and/or ethyl maltol shall be opportunely calculated to supply a daily dose from around 15 mg (or less) up to 250 mg or more of maltol/ethyl maltol per serve.

[0041] In an embodiment, the composition will further comprise a digestive enzyme, expression indicating enzymes having degradative/digestive activity toward nutrients and antinutrients, herein respectively termed non-classic digestive enzyme and classic digestive enzyme.

[0042] Examples of non-classic digestive enzymes, i.e. directed to antinutrients, are phytases and catecholase, which may be of particular utility for vegetarians or vegans ID-subjects.

[0043] Suitable phytases comprise 3-phytase (EC 3.1.3.8) and 3-phytase (EC 3.1.3.26) obtained from microorganism or vegetal source, thus include Ronozyme NP and Ronozyme HiPhos (DSM) obtained from Aspergillus oryzae; Rovabio Phy from Penicillicum funiculosum; Quantum from Pichia pastoris; Finase EC from Trichoderma reesei; Optiphos from Pichia pastoris; Ronozyme Hiphos from Aspergillus oryzae; Quantum Blue from Trichoderma reesei; Natuphos from A. niger; Phyzyme from S. pombe, etc.

[0044] A preferred phytase is 3-phytaseobtained from the fermentation of A. niger, e.g. in dose typically ranging from 500 to 70.000 FTU/dose or more.

[0045] The term cathecol oxidase (alias catecholase, diphenol oxidase, dopa-oxidase, polyphenol oxidase, pyrocatechol oxidase, tyrosinase) describes various enzymes capable of oxidating the ortho-diphenolic moiety, classified as EC 1.10.3.1. or EC 1.14.18.1 (CAS 9002-10-2).

[0046] Examples of classic digestive enzymes, i.e. directed to nutrients, include proteases like pepsin, trypsin or chimotrypsin, either isolated or as mixed enzyme such as pancreatin, which in fact is a blend of trypsin, amilases (amilopsine), lipases (steapsine). These animal proteases may be substituted with functional equivalents obtained from native or genetically modified microorganism, e.g. microbial proteases, acid-stable proteases, or may be substituted with functional equivalents obtained from plants such as papain, bromelain, ficain.

[0047] These functional equivalents may be combined with next purified digestive enzymes such as amilases, maltases, lipases, cellulases, lactases, alpha-galactosidases, etc. The inventive composition comprising classic digestive enzymes are particularly suited for ID subjects having a gastric hypo-functionality, e.g. due to the proton pump inhibitor therapy.

[0048] In separate embodiment, the composition comprising maltol and/or ethyl maltol are used to prevent or treat a disorder selected from: (a) bleeding-driven ID/IDA; (b) malabsorption-driven ID/IDA; (c) inflammation-driven ID/IDA; or (d) ID/IDA from increased demand; and combination thereof, as better detailed herewith.

[0049] (a) Bleeding-driven ID/IDA due to nonvariceal or variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, gastric-duodenal ulcer, angiodysplasia and antral vascular ectasia, esophagitis, erosive gastritis and hiatal hernia, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal failure, intestinal parasitic infection, diverticular disease, restorative proctolectomy, hemorroids, anal fissures and rectal ulcers, gastrointestinal cancer, NSAID-associated blood loss, menorrhagia or metrorrhagia, endometriosis, childbirth, uterine or vaginal cancer, surgery, trauma, or blood donation;

[0050] (b) Malabsorption-driven ID/IDA due to H. pylori gastritis, autoimmune gastritis, bariatric surgery, celiac disease, intestinal failure, intestinal parasitic infection, infectious colitis, restorative proctolectomy, malnutrition for high phytate-polyphenol diet; (c) is due to autoimmune gastritis, celiac disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic hepatitis, or liver condition without gastrointestinal bleeding.

[0051] (c) Inflammation-driven ID/IDA due to H. pylori gastritis, autoimmune gastritis, bariatric surgery, celiac disease, intestinal failure, intestinal parasitic infection, infectious colitis, restorative proctolectomy, malnutrition for high phytate-polyphenol diet; (c) is due to autoimmune gastritis, celiac disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic hepatitis, or liver condition without gastrointestinal bleeding;

[0052] (d) ID/IDA from increased demand due to pregnancy, lactation, childhood, chronic kidney disease (CKD), endurance athletes, patients with coagulation disorders Treatable ID/IDA subject may sufferers from one or more combination of iron deficiency, as highlighted by Hershko & Camaschella (Blood, 2013; 123(3):326-333). Beside humans, also animals, particularly monogastric animals like dog, cat, horse, poultry, etc. will beneficiate the inventive approach.

[0053] In an embodiment, the inventive composition further comprises a hematinic vitamins. Exemplary hematinic vitamins include vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin or derivatives thereof) at 2-10 g/unit dose or higher; and folates (aka vitamin M, vitamin B9, folacin and derivatives) at 100-1000 g/unit dose or higher.

[0054] In an embodiment, the inventive composition further comprise a polyacid to marginally increase the capacity of maltol or ethyl maltol to recover dietary iron. Exemplary polyacids include: ascorbate, citrate, maleate, tartrate, succinate, oxalacetate, ketoglutarate, isocitrate, and polyphosphate, in amount from 50 to 5000 mg/unit dose.

[0055] In an embodiment, the inventive composition further comprise a cupric compound to ameliorate the homeostasis of iron introduced as maltol/ethyl maltol complex. Exemplary cupric compounds include cupric carbonate, cupric citrate, cupric gluconate, cupric solfate, cupric-lysine complex, cupric pidolate, etc. in amount from 0.1 mg to 10 mg/unit dose.

[0056] Recommended posology in preventive or curative anti-anemic therapy by the inventive compositions consist in 2-3 daily administrations in concomitance with main course for at least a month, preferably 2-3 months or the time need to restore or maintain an hemoglobin at around 14 g/dl in man and 12 g/dl in women (11 mg/dl for pregnant) and/or the ferritin level at normal values: 60-140m/dl.

[0057] The inventive compositions are essentially iron-free, hence particularly indicated in IDA subjects intolerant to oral or IV iron. The advantage over iron supplementation is to prevent iron overload in lower intestine, which inter alia translates into lower dysbiotic disorders.

EXAMPLES

Example 1Cell-Free In Vitro Competition Test

[0058] The method evaluates the competitive affinity for Fe(III) of maltol/ethyl maltol versus antinutrients, i.e. the iron sequestering agents occurring in food, in a 3-step method which adopts a sequential pH 6/2.5/6.5 mimic the pHs occurring in stomach at fast, during gastro digestion and in duodenum, respectively.

[0059] Stock solution at 10 mM conc. were prepared by dissolving in water the following reagents:

[0060] (a) antinutrient series: EDTA (EDTA=negative control), ellagic acid (ELL), gallic acid (GAL), hesperidin (HES), naringin (NAR), monosodium oxalate (OXA), disodium phosphate (PHO), quercetin (QUE), rutin (RUT), tannic acid (TAN), phytic acid sodium salt (PHY); wherein the cathecolic polyphenols (CPP) are presented as pooled

[0061] (b) maltol (MAL) and ethyl maltol (EMAL);

[0062] (c) Fe(III) and Ca sources: ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) and CaCl.sub.2 10H.sub.2O, respectively.

[0063] In brief, in 15-ml tubes were combined 100 l of 10 mM FAC (1 mol); 1 ml of 10 mM CaCl.sub.2 (10 mol); 1 ml of 10 mM 3-hydroxy-4-pyrone (10 mol); 1 ml of each antinutrient at 10 mM (10 mol); and 2 ml of water to 5 ml final volume. No antinutrients were introduced in the positive control. Tubes were oscillated at 30 rpm for 2.5 hours, of which: 1 hour at initial pH 6-6.5; 1 hour at pH 2-2.5 (by 50 l 1N HCl), and final 30 min. at pH around 6.5 (by 50 l 1N NaOH). The tubes were then added with 2 ml di CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and shacked for 2 min. Aliquots (200 l) of organic phase were placed in glass vials and dried on warm air stream. Residues were taken up with 2 ml water and read at 405 nm. Absorbance calibration: r=0.30 and linear correlation within the 40-4 M range (r2=1; r2=1.97877 on 0-intercept).

[0064] Data plotted in FIG. 1 shows that maltol or ethyl maltol compete with citrate (ref standard of 100% recovery) and antinutrients, viz. oxalates (89% recovery), phosphate (98% recovery), and non-cathecolic polyphenols (avg. 95% recovery) thereby forming 1:3 Fe-ligand complexes with high biovailability. NB, the complexes are easily and quantitatively assessed due to the their solubility in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2, which allow neat separation from the aqueous solution.

Example 2Cell-Free Competition Test with Enzymatic Pretreatment

[0065] As data from example 1 shows a limited efficiency in the iron competition versus phytate and catecholic polyphenols, resistant antinutrients were subject to co-treatment with specific degrading enzyme. This entailed mixing 5 mg of polyphenol oxidase (Sigma-Aldrich T3824; 1000 U/mg) at pH 6.5 on ELL, GAL, RUT, and TAN; or 50 mFTU (Ronozyme HiPhos) at pH 4,5 for phytic acid sodium salt. Specimen underwent the same procedure as in Example 1, affording the results plotted in FIG. 2 showing cumulative pre- or co-treatment ability of maltol/ethyl maltol to compete with antinutrients in the race for ferric ions.

Example 3In Vitro Digestion Model

[0066] The method assessed the extraction of dietary non-heme iron by maltol or ethyl maltol in simulated digestion of vegetal foods, with/without digestive enzymes. In brief, samples (10 g) of vegetable foods, viz. canned soybean, red beans and peas were smashed in mortar with 5 ml water. Specimen were combined in 50 ml tubes supplemented with HCl solution (pH 2.5) of mix of classic digestive enzymes consisting in: 2 mg pepsin 1:3000; 0.5 mg lipase 200 FIP/g; and bile enzymes, i.e. 2.5 mg bovine bile extract; 1.25 pancreatin extract 4:1 in gastroactive model (GA). A parallel test named gastropassive use non enzymes. Tube were added with 1 ml maltol/ethyl maltol 10 mM, or water in control, and underwent 2 hours of slow motion (60 o/min) at controlled temperature. The pH was finally adjusted to 6-7 (1N NaOH) and the tubes remained on oscillation for further 30 min.

[0067] The digests were collected, filtered at 100 m mesh, diluted and read at 405 nm. Results expressed as % recovery of Fe calculated against a calibration curve) are plotted in FIG. 3.

[0068] In this test maltol and ethyl maltol increased the yield of extracted iron from vegetal food, meaning a significant increase in dietary iron bioavailability.

[0069] Noteworthy, yields of GA model slightly surpassed by about 10% those obtained in gastropassive (GP) condition suggesting an optimal combination of maltol/ethyl maltol with digestive enzymes in subjects with defective gastro-functionality, e.g. in therapy with PPI.

Examples 4, 5Caco-2 Monolayer Absorption

[0070] This study investigates the boost in iron bioavailability by maltol/ethyl maltol compared to ascorbate, a known absorption promoter, in relation to specific iron sources.

[0071] Caco-2 cells cultivated and used at passages 24-50 in culture medium, serum-free MEM, were exposed to test substances in culture medium.

[0072] In example 4, aliquots obtained from the digestates of Example 3 have been seeded on the apical layer of CaCo-2 cells.

[0073] In example 4, pure chemicals ere seeded on Caco-2 cells starting from the following stock solution prepared in MEM (Minimum Essential Medium, pH 7.4):

[0074] (a) maltol (MAL) and ethyl maltol (EMAL) at 10 mM concentration;

[0075] (b) iron-absorption promoter: ascorbic acid (AA) and citric acid (CA), both at 20 mM conc;

[0076] (c) iron sources: FAC (Fe.sup.III) and ferrous sulfate (FS, Fe.sup.III) at 1:10 eq/eq with respect to AA, at 1:20 eq/eq with respect to CA, and at 1:5 eq/eq with respect to MAL.

[0077] The final Fe concentration was fixed 200 M with the other molar ratio as listed above, while the solution were then neutralized to pH 6-7.

[0078] One hour contact at 37 C. was used for similarity of duodenal contact time. After incubation 1 h the medium was aspirated, cell monolayer washed 3 PBS-EDTA and fresh MEM added. Cells were re-incubated for 23 h to allow ferritin formation, lysed with 400 l of MPER lysis buffer, lysate collected, centrifuged for 5 at 16,000g, and supernatant collected for analysis. The solutions were filter-sterilized (0.2 m syringe filter) prior dilution in the culture medium.

[0079] Total iron was determined by inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, where both ICP-OES standards and samples were diluted in 0.5% HNO.sub.3 in 0-1000 ppb range. Physical classification of iron was assessed after centrifugation (10,000g, 5 min.), the supernatant was ultrafiltrated with 3kDa MWCO filter 10,000g, 10 min. Phase distribution was calculated as: iron microparticulate (total FeFe in supernatant), iron nanoparticulate (Fe ultrafiltrateFe in supernatant) and soluble iron (Fe ultrafiltrate/total Fe).

[0080] Ferritin content of Caco-2 cells was determined by an ELISA kit, results corrected for the baseline values and expressed in relation to total cell protein in ng ferritin/mg cell protein.

[0081] FIG. 5B show that iron(II) and Iron(III) salt are poorly soluble. Instead, ascorbate in the presence of Fe(II) sulfate partially prevented the issue, while citric acid produced high solubility. In contrast, maltol retain the Fe(III) solubility at supplemental levels, detectable by almost no precipitate and low nanoprecipitate in suspension.

[0082] The formation of ferritin, an indirect assessment of iron availability, depicted in FIG. 5B, maltol and ethyl maltol produced soluble iron utilized by enteric cells for ferritin synthesis. Thus, enhanced iron solubility prompted by positively correlates with the stimulation of ferritin expression, whose enhanced expression also indicates a high efficient uptake system for the in-situ formed Maltol-iron complex.

Example 6Murine Model of Anemic Therapy

[0083] This in vivo murine study sized the capacity of maltol/ethyl maltol compounded into food to enhance iron uptake in rodents conducted to anemia by iron starvation. For that purpose, 6-wk old female Wistar rats were fed for 28 days a iron-deficient diet (Fe:12 mg/kg), labeled IDD1. A control group received standard diet (Fe:45 mg/kg) (Ctrl1) along the entire experiment.

[0084] In the second stage, IDD1 rats were randomized for 26 days test diets conceived as follows: the M3 and EM3 groups received cookies with 3% of maltol or 3% ethyl maltol, respectively. The M/EMO group was fed with cookies without maltol/ethyl maltol; while the IDD2 group was maintained at Fe-deficient diet. Cereal cookies, the base diet in the M3, EM3 and M/EMO groups contained ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) at 45-48 mg Fe/kg meal. Cookies were produced from corn flour and vegetal fat, and backed at 180 C. for 15 minM, whereas in M3 and EM3 groups a portion (3%) of corn flour was replaced with maltol and ethyl maltol.

[0085] Animals were kept in room with 12 h light/dark cycle, temperature of 24 C. 35 6 C., and drinking water ad libitum. At the start and at the end of any stage, tail blood was collected for hematologic analysis.

[0086] Serum iron was measured at 623 nm, haemoglobin content (Hb) total iron binding capacity (TIBC), erythrocytes, haemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and MCH concentration (MCHC) assessed according to Regula et al. Ann Agric Environ Med 2016;23(2):310-4. Iron transferrin saturation (TSAT) was calculated by the formula: TSAT=(Fe/TIBC)10. Results are reported in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I First stage Second stage IDD1 Ctrl M3 EM3 E/EM0 IDD2 Ctrl TSAT 6.51 1.40 20.4 1.68 23.7 2.75 24.5 6.22 12.3 4.86 12.3 4.86 21.5 3.10 RBC 7.86 0.42 7.59 0.45 5.43 1.71 5.26 2.45 6.71 1.50 9.18 2.01 8.40 3.64 (T/L) Hb 7.28 0.39 8.84 0.40 8.34 1.92 8.32 2.76 7.53 0.98 6.36 1.35 9.26 2.07 (mmol/L) Ht (1/L) 0.36 0.02 0.41 0.01 0.36 0.02 0.37 0.03 0.34 0.01 0.33 0.01 0.43 0.04 MCV (fL) 46.8 0.88 54.9 0.86 52.9 2.30 54.8 1.37 52.4 1.40 37.8 0.96 52.4 1.78 MCH 0.09 0.03 1.15 0.05 1.60 0.19 1.51 0.17 1.19 0.22 0.93 0.17 1.11 0.08 (fmoL) MCHC 19.1 0.34 20.0 1.68 29.4 1.53 27.1 2.05 22.4 1.38 25.1 1.84 20.3 1.13 (mmol/L) Fe 13.1 2.34 17.6 1.26 18.7 1.38 18.4 2.03 15.1 3.12 11.3 1.92 19.4 3.61 (mmol/L)

[0087] In conclusion, feeding Wistar rats for 26 days with an ID diet and then supplemented with a normalized-iron vegetal diet comprising maltol or ethyl maltol resulted in faster recovery of iron and hematologic levels. The effect is manifested as increased rate of these parameters: iron transferrin saturation (TSAT), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values, that increased considerably compared to both controls.

Formulation Examples

[0088] The composition hereafter are non-limitative examples of dosed forms suitable for the inventive purpose, i.e. Iron-absorption promoter compositions (IAPC) to be consumed along main meals to boost (non-heme) iron extraction/uptake from foodstuff.

[0089] While several dosed composition can be produced under standard manufacturing methods, a variety of customary excipients (omitted) may be used to complete the formulation.

Example 7IAPC Tablets

[0090]

TABLE-US-00002 Ingredient Amount Maltol 225 mg

Example 8IAPC Tablets

[0091]

TABLE-US-00003 Ingredient Amount Ethyl maltol 200 mg Maltol 150 mg Choline HCl 250 mg

Example 9IAPC Tablets with Selected Hematinic Vitamins

[0092]

TABLE-US-00004 Ingredient Amount Maltol 165 mg Copper gluconate 3.74 mg Folic acid 0.1916 mg Vitamin B12 0.1% 6.5 mg

Example 10IAPC Sachets with Broad Range Vitamins

[0093]

TABLE-US-00005 Ingredient Amount per sachet Vitamin A 300 g RE Vitamin D 5 g Vitamin E 5 mg Vitamin C 30 mg Thiamin (vitamin B1) 0.5 mg Riboflavin (vitamin B2) 0.5 mg Niacin (vitamin B3) 6 mg Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 0.5 mg Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) 0.9 g Zinc 5 mg Copper (as citrate) 0.56 mg Selenium 17 g Iodine 90 g

Example 11IAPC Capsule with Classic Digestive Enzymes (Vegans)

[0094]

TABLE-US-00006 Ingredient Amount Ethyl maltol 120 mg Protease 6312 HUT Acid stable protease 55 SAPU Amilase 1375 DU Lipase 412 FIP Cellulase 250 CU Lactase (non-milk derived) 100 ALU Papain 3300 PU Bromelin 2750 PU Alfa-galactosidase 22 GaIU

Example 12IAPC Hard Capsule with Classic Digestive Enzymes (Animal-Sourced)

[0095]

TABLE-US-00007 Ingredient Amount Maltol 70 mg Pancreatin ox bile extract 200 mg Pepsin 1:3000 200 mg Pancreatin, extract 4:1 125 mg 3-Phytases from A. niger (525 FTU) 5 mg Gelatin/glycerin 0.4:1 w/w hard capsule.

Example 13IAPC Syrup

[0096]

TABLE-US-00008 Ingredient Amount in 100 ml Maltol 1.0 g Sucrose-Xylitol 1:2 60 g Caramel (E150) qb Benzoic acid (E210) 1 g Ethyl alcohol 4 g Water qb to 100

[0097] The syrup was loaded into bottle equipped with a graduated cup (5/10/15 ml marks).

Examples 14-18Condiment Oils for Iron Assimilation (Medical Food)

[0098] Maltol and ethyl maltol were added under mixing/heating on dietetic oil and fats as set forth in Table 2, where: 14: olive oil; 15: sunflower oil; 16: butter; 17: ghee; 18: margarine.

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 2 Values in 100 g Ex. 14 Ex. 15 Ex. 16 Ex. 17 Ex. 18 Calories (Kcal) 874 884 717 746 717 Fats (g) 99.2 99.7 81 91.6 81 of whom saturated (g) 15.2 15.1 51 93.4 15 Cholesterol (mg) 215 243 0 Carbohydrate (g) 0.1 <0.1 0.7 Protein (g) 0.9 <0.1 0.2 Sodium (mg) 11 <1 2 Potassium (mg) 24 <1 18 Maltol (mg) 50 125 100 200 Ethyl maltol (mg) 400 500 400 350 200 total per serve (mg)* 22.5 75 78.75 67.5 60 *calculated on 15 ml serving.

Examples 19-22: Condiment Sauces for Iron Assimilation (Medical Food)

[0099] Sauces from Calv-Unilever (23-25) and Cirio (26) were added with maltol/ethyl maltol producing sauces as of Table 3, where: 19: mayonnaise; 20: tartar sauce; 21: tuna sauce 22: tomato sauce.

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 3 Values in 100 g Ex. 19 Ex. 20 Ex. 21 Ex. 22 Calories (Kcal) 610 430 660 56 Fats (g) 68 42 71 1.4 of whom saturated (g) 8 5 9 0.3 Carbohydrate (g) 4 10 <0.5 8.3 Of whom sugars (g) 1 6 <0.5 5.6 Proteins (g) 0.8 1 3 1.5 Salt (g) 1.1 2.6 1.6 0-6 Maltol (mg) 170 100 140 100 Ethyl maltol (mg) 170 200 100 200 total per serve (mg) 51* 30** 36* 45** *serving calculated on 15 g: ** ; 10 g; *** .

Examples 23-26Beverages for Iron Assimilation (Medical Food)

[0100] Beverage from brand Santal (Parmalat) were admixed with maltol by turbo-mixing to produce dietetic beverages as set forth in Table 4, wherein: 23: red orange; 24: modified Fructalact; 25: pink grapefruit; 26: pineapple.

TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 4 Values in 100 g Ex. 23 Ex. 24 Ex. 25 Ex. 26 Calories (Kcal) 46 46 40 47 Carbohydrates (sugars) (g) 10.5 9.9 10 11 Proteins (g) 0.1 0.8 <0.1 0.3 Sodium (mg) 5 30 <5 <1 Maltol (mg) per 100 ml* 65 120 90 150 (typical serving)

Example 27Case Series

[0101] Current clinical studies on selected ID patients are in progress. The results will become available after the publication of the present document.

Example 28IAPC Effervescent Tablets

[0102]

TABLE-US-00012 Ingredient Amount Citric acid/Sodium bicarbonate 2:4 w/w 400 mg Maltol 225 mg