Patent Description:
Taste-masking of distasteful oral materials is an old practice particularly in the practice of medicine, particularly with the oral administration of distasteful drugs and plant extracts. The basic practice was to add pleasant tasting innocuous materials to help overcome the distasteful medicinal compounds or extracts. Typically, one simply added sweeteners (sugars or honey) to the formulation. Unfortunately, this practice was only barely sufficient for only a limited number of situations. Another practice was to also add natural (and in more modern times, synthetic) flavoring agents. Again, this practice also only worked for a limited number of situations.

Taste perception is a complex phenomenon involving not only taste receptors in the oral cavity, but also aroma receptors in the oral and nasal cavities as well as mouthfeel perceptions in the oral cavity. True complete taste-masking addresses each of these issues where they are otherwise present. Taste-masking can act by (a) blocking the various taste-receptors by overwhelming the taste receptors with large amounts of pleasant tasting activating compounds, (b) blocking the various taste receptors by being either a more strongly bonding competitive inhibitor or a non-competitive inhibitor of the various taste receptors, or (c) numbing the various taste receptors for the short period of time when the offensive tasting material is in the mouth. However, unless one knows the particular pattern of receptors involved in sensing the offensive taste, this is simply a trial and error approach utilizing the known materials that might act as taste-masking materials.

Further complicating the situation is that taste and smell are intimately connected, and the aromatic aspects of the offensive-tasting material must also be addressed adequately. Again, this involves multiple receptors in the oral and nasal cavity, and is partially dependent upon the volatile nature of one or more components of the offensive-tasting materials, not only per se, but also as those materials interact with other formulation components and their volatility may change when introduced into the oral cavity during administration. Again, without knowing the precise receptor pattern at play, one is left with a completely trial and error approach to selection of the proper taste-masking agent(s) that will adequately address both taste and aroma aspects.

A third component of the taste-masking dilemma is the mouthfeel of the offensive-tasting material and the need to mask this aspect when it is present as well. A taste-masking formulation which does not address an overly gritty material feel or a slimy material feel, will generate negative reactions in the oral administration of the formulation.

Efforts at overcoming the above have led to the use of tablets and capsules (into which the offensive material formulation is placed) and the capsule or tablet is swallowed to be dissolved after it leaves the oral cavity. This works well for materials which only require relatively small amounts to be administered at a single time, amounts certainly under <NUM> gram and typically under <NUM> at a time. A second approach has been to use microencapsulation which can be used over a wide range of active materials, but the microencapsulation typically increases the weight and volume of the total dosage amount considerably so that where multiple grams or more are to be administered at a single dosage, the volume that needs to be consumed is both impracticable and leads to complete non-compliance with the dosage regimen. Thus, these efforts are not available when dosages of the pure offensive-tasting material are in excess of even as small an amount as <NUM> grams per dose.

In addition to all of the above, the taste masking formulation needs to be chemical and physically stable for a commercially reasonable period of time that is sufficient to allow for manufacture of the formulation, storage in the manufacturing facility, distribution through commercial distribution networks, storage at the distribution centers, distribution to the point of sale to the consumer, and adequate shelf life thereafter to allow the consumer to use the formulation in the normal course. These additional requirements further limit the ultimate choices made in the taste-masking formulation components selection completely independent of the taste-masking ability of the individual components over the offensive-tasting material.

In summary, finding an appropriate taste-masking formulation which makes an offensive-tasting material palatable for administration in amounts of greater than <NUM> grams per dose is truly a trial and error approach. <CIT> relates to a method of management of migraine symptom reduction and/or management and/or prophylaxis using <NUM>-hydroxybutyrate glycerides. <CIT> relates to ketogenic compositions including a beta-hydroxybutyrate mixed salt to induce or sustain ketosis in a subject to which the ketogenic compositions are administered. <CIT> relates to a composition with reduced bitterness containing polyquatemium-<NUM>, polyquaternium-<NUM> and/or polyquaternium-<NUM>. <NPL>) investigates the bitter taste perception in the human oral cavity. <CIT> relates to bitter taste modifiers such as substituted <NUM>-benzyl-<NUM>-(<NUM>-(isoxazol-<NUM>-ylmethyl)-<NUM>-pyrazol-<NUM>-yl)imidazolidine-<NUM>,<NUM>-diones and compositions comprising the same.

An object of the invention is to provide a formulation for an offensive-tasting ketone body material that is palatable for administration to humans via oral administration in amounts greater than <NUM> grams per dose.

Another object of the invention is to provide a formulation for an offensive-tasting ketone body material that is palatable for administration to humans via oral administration in amounts sufficient to provide a blood ketone body level in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an orally administrable palatable formulation of a glyceryl ester of <NUM>-hydroxybutyric acid.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an orally administrable palatable formulation of the ester glyceryl tris(<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate).

Even further objects of the invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after having benefit of the instant application.

In brief, the foregoing objects of the invention and others can be obtained by a formulation comprising.

The formulation can be used for any purpose that exogenous ketone body supplementation is desired, most preferably as a medical food.

The present invention is directed to an orally palatable formulation according to claim <NUM>.

In all references to the term "comprising" it is intended that the terms "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of" are equally disclosed. Any use of the term "about" shall be construed to mean that the last digit in the immediately following number as in the following non-limiting examples (a) "about <NUM>" shall be deemed to cover the range of at least <NUM> to <<NUM> and (b) "about <NUM>" shall be construed to mean a range of at least <NUM> to <<NUM>. For any number preceded by "about", the absolute number shall be deemed to be disclosed as well as in "about <NUM>" shall be deemed to be a specific disclosure of "<NUM>" as well as the range in the prior sentence.

The ketone body material that is distasteful is selected from (a) ketone body alkali metal salts, which can be independently the lithium, sodium or potassium salts or mixtures thereof; (b) ketone body esters between a ketone body and an additional ketone body such as, without limitation, <NUM>-(<NUM>-hydroxybutyroyl)-O-butyric acid, <NUM>-(acetacetyl)-O-butyric acid, or mixtures thereof; (c) ketone body esters between a ketone body and a ketone body precursor as defined in claim <NUM>, such as, without limitation, <NUM>-butyryl-O-butyric acid, or mixtures thereof; (d) ketone body esters with glycerine such as those set forth in <CIT>, especially the glyceryl-tris(<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate) ester (hereinafter "GT(3HB"); or (e) amides between ketone bodies and physiologically acceptable amines such as, without limitation, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS). Preferably, the ketone body material is selected from <NUM>-hydroxybutyl-<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate, <NUM>,<NUM>-butandiol-<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate monoester, and those set forth in <CIT>, and most preferably is glyceryl-tris(<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate), hereinafter "GTβHB". The balance of this disclosure will be with reference to GTβHB, but shall be understood (unless the context specifically indicated otherwise) to be applicable to the other ketone body materials set forth above as well.

The ketone body compound is present in the final formulation in an amount of <NUM> parts by weight (pbw) to <NUM> pbw, preferably about <NUM> pbw to about <NUM> pbw, more preferably about <NUM> pbw, but more generally can be selected from any range constructed by selecting <NUM> amounts from about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, and about <NUM> pbw, and may also be specifically selected from any of the foregoing specific values.

The flavor component is selected from bitter orange, grape and mixtures thereof and preferably is a natural flavor oil. The primary flavor material may be used alone or in a blend with minor amounts of other natural flavors; the primary flavor oil which comprises at least <NUM>% of the flavor oils used, is either orange or grape, preferably in a range selected from <NUM> values from <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% and <NUM>% of the flavor oils used; more preferably <NUM>% of the total flavor oils used. The remainder of the flavor oils are selected from compatible natural flavor oils. The total flavor oils used are present in the final formulation in amounts of <NUM> pbw to <NUM> pbw, preferably about <NUM> pbw to about <NUM> pbw, more preferably about <NUM> pbw, but more generally can be selected from any range constructed by selecting <NUM> amounts from about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about, <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM>, <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw and about <NUM> pbw; and may also be specifically selected from any of the foregoing specific values.

The ethanol is preferably <NUM>% ethanol, however, lower concentrations such as <NUM>% ethanol or <NUM>% ethanol (with the balance being water) provided the additional water contributed beyond the <NUM>% ethanol is subtracted from the water component amount below. When <NUM>% ethanol is being used, it is used in amounts of <NUM> pbw to <NUM> pbw, preferably about <NUM> pbw to about <NUM> pbw, more preferably about <NUM> pbw, but generally may be selected from any range constructed by selecting <NUM> amounts from about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, and about <NUM> pbw; and may also be specifically selected from any of the foregoing specific values. When ethanol of a lower %, such as without limitation <NUM>% is being used, it is used to give the same pure ethanol content as the above amounts of <NUM>% ethanol would give, and the additional water contributed by the use of the lower % ethanol over and above that contributed by <NUM>% ethanol should be subtracted from the water amounts added as a separate water component below when analyzing a particular formulation for total water content for comparison to the claims. Since the ethanol amounts above and the separately added water below are parts by weight, the contribution of water by the ethanol must be simultaneously subtracted from the ethanol weights and added to the water weights so that true comparisons for infringement determination purposes can be obtained.

The separately added water component is present in an amount of from <NUM> pbw to <NUM> pbw, preferably about <NUM> pbw to about <NUM> pbw, more preferably, <NUM> pbw; but generally may be selected from any range constructed by selecting <NUM> amounts from about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, and about <NUM> pbw, and may also be specifically selected from any of the foregoing specific values. The separately added water amounts above do not include water introduced via the <NUM>% ethanol used in the prior paragraph, and for comparisons for potential infringement issues, total water content will have the water contribution from the <NUM>% ethanol added to these values. If ethanol concentrations of less than <NUM>% are used for the ethanol component, then the water contributed by the ethanol over and above that which would be contributed by <NUM>% ethanol (for providing the same amount of pure ethanol as contained in <NUM> % ethanol) should be deducted from the amounts above of separately added water.

The propylene glycol in the present invention comes into the invention in two portions; one is the main solvent of the overall formulation and the second is as a component that is blended with the natural flavor, water, ethanol as a pre-blend. The propylene glycol that is preblended with the water, ethanol, and natural flavor oils is present in amounts of the final formulation in the range of <NUM> pbw to <NUM> pbw, preferably about <NUM> pbw to about <NUM> pbw, more preferably about <NUM> pbw; but generally may be selected from any range constructed by selecting <NUM> amounts from about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM>, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, and about <NUM> pbw, and may also be specifically selected from any of the foregoing specific values.

The propylene glycol that is separately added as the main solvent is present in amounts, based on the final formulation, in the range of from <NUM> pbw to <NUM> pbw, preferably about <NUM> pbw to about <NUM> pbw, more preferably about <NUM> pbw; but generally may be selected from any range constructed by selecting <NUM> amounts from about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM>. 00pbw, about <NUM> pbw about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, and about <NUM> pbw, and may also be specifically selected from any of the foregoing specific values. The total propylene glycol in the formulation is the sum of the propylene glycol incorporated in the pre-blend and the propylene glycol added as the main solvent.

The high potency sweetener can be any high potency sweetener, but is preferably sucralose. It is present in the final formulation in an amount of from <NUM> pbw to <NUM> pbw, preferably <NUM> pbw to about <NUM> pbw, more preferably from about <NUM> pbw to about <NUM> pbw, still more preferably about <NUM> pbw; but generally may be selected from any range constructed by selecting <NUM> amounts from about1. <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, and about <NUM> pbw; and may also be specifically selected from any of the foregoing specific values.

The bitter masking agent is the compound of claim <NUM> of <CIT>, also known as <NUM>-(<NUM>-((<NUM>,<NUM>-Dimethylisoxazol-<NUM>-yl)methyl)-<NUM>-pyrazol-<NUM>-yl)-<NUM>-(<NUM>-hydroxbenzyl)imidazolidine-<NUM>,<NUM>-dione having the structure
<CHM>
and also known as Senomyx BB68 and Senomyx S6821. The bitter masking agent is present in an amount of from <NUM> pbw to <NUM> pbw, preferably about <NUM> pbw to about <NUM> pbw, more preferably about <NUM> pbw; but generally may be selected from any range constructed by selecting <NUM> amounts from about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, and about <NUM> pbw, and may also be specifically selected from any of the foregoing specific values.

The ketone body compound is present in an amount of from <NUM> pbw to <NUM> pbw, preferably about <NUM> pbw, but generally may be selected from any range constructed by selecting <NUM> amounts from about <NUM> pbw, <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM>. <NUM> pbw, <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, about <NUM> pbw, and about <NUM> pbw; and may also be specifically selected from any of the foregoing specific values.

The glyceryl esters of the ketone bodies can be those in which <NUM>-hydroxybutyroyl groups
<CHM>
esterify <NUM>, <NUM>, or all <NUM> of the hydroxy groups in a single glycerol molecule. When less than all three of the glycerol hydroxy groups are esterified by the <NUM>-hydroxybutyroyl group, the remaining glycerol hydroxy groups can remain unesterified, be esterified by omega-<NUM>-fatty acids, omega-<NUM>-fatty acids, omega-<NUM>,<NUM>-fatty acids, medium-chain fatty acids, or mixtures thereof. (Medium-chain fatty acids are fatty acids having carbon chains of generally <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> carbons, such as for example, without limitation, one such medium-chain fatty acid in a purified form is caprylic acid. ) Each <NUM>-hydroxybutyroyl group in each molecule is independently in either D or L form and the bulk compound being administered can be a mix of any or all of the same (i.e. a mix of compounds having (a) all of the groups in the D form, (b) all of the groups in the L form, (c) some in the D-form and some in the L-form, (d) as well as mixtures of compounds selected from (<NUM>) a and b, (<NUM>) a and c, and (<NUM>) a, b, and c). Both the D and L forms of the <NUM>-hydroxybutyroyl groups are active, however, the L form is utilized more slowly and thus, it is preferable that the <NUM>-hydroxybutyroyl groups are substantially all or substantially all in the D form. In a particularly preferred embodiment, about <NUM>% to <NUM>%, more preferably about <NUM>% of the <NUM>-hydroxybutyroyl groups are in the D form. Nonetheless, utilization of other amounts of D vs L forms are within the invention and can be selected from <NUM>% D to <NUM>% L and any mixture of D and L forms in any proportions. In addition, mixtures of esters having one, two, or <NUM> (<NUM>-hydroxybutyryl) groups with (a) no other esterification or (b) further esterification with an omega fatty acid (either <NUM>-omega, <NUM>-omega, or <NUM>,<NUM>-omega or mixtures thereof) or (c) further esterified with a medium-chain fatty acid or mixtures of different medium-chain fatty acids or (d) further esterified with both an omega fatty acid and a medium-chain fatty acid are also contemplated to be within the scope of compounds for use in the present invention. A highly preferred embodiment is one in which the compound utilized for the present invention is glyceryl tris(<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate); an even more highly preferred compound is glyceryl tris(DL <NUM>-hydroxybutyrate), the DL referring to the bulk compound and not necessarily a mixture in a specific molecule. These compounds and a method of manufacture thereof are described more fully in <CIT>.

When the ester is glyceryl tris(<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate), it is generally orally/enterally administered in an amount that is typically in the range of <NUM>/kg to <NUM>/kg body weight per day (more specifically <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, or <NUM>/kg, as well as amounts intermediary between any of these specifically recited amounts) in <NUM>-<NUM> divided doses, which for a <NUM> female is about <NUM>-<NUM>/serving (more specifically <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving as well as amounts intermediary between any of these specifically recited amounts) thrice daily (approximately every <NUM> hours) to about <NUM>-<NUM>/serving (more specifically <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, or <NUM>/serving as well as amounts intermediary between any of these specifically recited amounts) twice daily (approximately every <NUM> hours) and for a <NUM> male is about <NUM>-<NUM>/serving (more specifically <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, as well as amounts intermediary between any of these specifically recited amounts) thrice (approximately every <NUM> hours) daily to about <NUM>-<NUM>/serving (more specifically <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, <NUM>/serving, as well as amounts intermediary between any of these specifically recited amounts) twice (approximately every <NUM> hours) daily. These doses and serving sizes are intended to result in total ketone body (combined <NUM>-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate) blood levels of <NUM>-<NUM> (more specifically <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> as well as intermediary levels between any of these specifically recited levels and any of these may serve as a lower end of a range or upper end of a range provided the upper end of the range is larger than the lower end of that range) in an average typical subject to whom these compounds are administered. (Acetoacetate is an oxidized form of <NUM>-hydroxybutyrate in which the <NUM>-hydroxy group is replaced by a <NUM>-oxo group
<CHM>
When the esters used in the present invention are ingested orally, the esters are primarily hydrolyzed in the intestinal tract due to pancreatic lipase, releasing the <NUM>-hydroxybutyrate moiety which is absorbed, and the body utilizes the <NUM>-hydroxybutyrate by converting it to acetoacetate which, in turn, is actually used by the cells. ) Those of ordinary skill in the art will know how to adjust these dosage amounts in subjects presenting with non-typical distribution and/or metabolisms such that the foregoing doses do not result in the blood level being in the correct range. (Such modified amounts that are administered are considered within the scope of the invention if they raise the combined blood level of <NUM>-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate into the range of <NUM> to <NUM> range, notwithstanding they are outside of the "serving size" ranges or bulk g of compound administered set forth elsewhere in this specification. ) When the ester is one of the other esters discussed more fully below, the dose is calculated to deliver a comparable amount of the combined <NUM>-hydroxybutyroyl and acetoacetate moieties that is ultimately delivered by the glyceryl tris(<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate).

In the present specification, in any case where a range of values for a particular parameter is given and a more specific recitation of values within such range is given each specific value can be the basis for a new range limit as long as the lower limit is in fact less than the upper limit. By way of example, in the foregoing paragraph, the dosage range is given as "<NUM>/kg to <NUM>/kg" with a more specific recitation of "<NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, <NUM>/kg, or <NUM>/kg". Based thereon, any of the more specific recited amounts may be the lower limit of a new range and any larger specific recited amount may be the upper limit of that new range and each such constructed range shall be deemed as specifically recited in this specification. As such, by way of example and not limitation, the ranges of <NUM> to <NUM>; <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, etc. are all deemed recited herein. The same is applicable to the other parameters relating to dosages based on body weight, serving sizes, etc. as well.

The ester compounds for use in the present invention are administered in amounts that deliver the same amount of <NUM>-hydroxybutyroyl and/or acetoacetate moiety as that when <NUM>/kg to <NUM>/kg body weight of the glyceryl tris(<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate) is administered orally. Again, the focal point is to achieve the appropriate ketone body (<NUM>-hydroxybutyroyl level plus acetoacetate level) in the blood of between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, most preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. In cases where the actual volume or weight of this amount is too cumbersome or undesired to give as a single dose, the dose can be divided into multiple divided doses of desirable size given multiple times per day or in multiple dosage units given in a single dose (i.e. within a few moments of one another as desired). Preferably the dose is divided into <NUM>-<NUM> divided doses, spaced apart approximately equally over the course of a <NUM>-hour period, so that twice daily dosing is approximately every <NUM> hours and thrice daily dosing is approximately every <NUM> hours. By way of example, if <NUM> is desired to be administered, it can be done as a single dose of <NUM> in a single dosage form or distributed in a food or drink or it can be administered in ½ such amounts twice daily, or it can be administered in a dosage form having ½ the dose in two dosage units given within a few moments of one another (preferably within a few seconds of one another when a substantially single dosing is desired). Where multiple dosings per day are desired or multiple dosage units per day at a single dosing are desired, other fractional dosings and multiple dosage units will be known to those of ordinary skill in the art and include without limitation administration of <NUM>/<NUM> the above amounts administered <NUM> times a day or in three units administered at substantially the same time; <NUM>/<NUM> the above amounts administered <NUM> times a day or in four units administered at substantially the same time or <NUM> units twice in a day, etc. The intent and objective is to induce a therapeutic hyperketonemia characterized by blood levels of the <NUM>-hydroxybutyroyl group
<CHM>
(together with the acetoacetate group) of <NUM>-<NUM>, (such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, and all mM levels between any particular of these explicitly recited amounts is deemed to be explicitly disclosed as well) comparable to those achieved by ketogenic diet or starvation. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other variations on the theme.

The formulation is assembled by first preparing a pre-blend of the ethanol and water and the small amount of propylene glycol (which small amount is part of the pre-blend as indicated above) and then adding the flavor oil components thereto. Separately, the propylene glycol (that is indicated as the primary solvent is warmed to approximately <NUM>. The high potency sweetener is added to the warmed propylene glycol and the bitter masking agent is then added to the warmed solution and mixed until dissolved. The warmed mixture is then allowed to cool to about <NUM>. Then the flavor oil component is added and mixed for <NUM>-<NUM> minutes. The resulting mixture is then blended with the ketone compound to result in the final formulation.

As stated above, the process of arriving at an appropriate taste-masking formulation is one of trial and error. In point of fact, the present inventors tried a multitude of potential candidates without success. Numerous flavorings and media were tried for masking the bitterness of the ketone body compounds without success, whether as simply flavorings added to the ketone alone or by adding the ketone compound to a medium such as juices, soft drinks, puddings, ice creams, etc. without adequate success. Some of these efforts actually resulted in making the taste worse, not better. However, on arrival at the instantly claimed invention, the instant inventors finally found a formulation that met the criteria for having a delivery system that adequately masked the extreme bitterness of the ketone compounds.

The instant formulation can be administered as is, or added to virtually any desired food or drink as desired, but preferably is consumed as is.

The following examples exemplify, but do not limit, the present invention.

A preferred formulation of GTβHB is prepared as set forth in the following TABLE I.

The propylene Glycol, water, and ethanol are blended together and put aside.

Claim 1:
An orally administrable formulation of distasteful ketone body material comprising:
(a) a ketone body material selected from ketone body alkali metal salts, ketone body esters between a ketone body and an additional ketone body, ketone body esters between a ketone body and a ketone body precursor, ketone body esters with glycerin, and amides between ketone bodies and physiologically acceptable amines, wherein the ketone body esters between a ketone body and a ketone body precursor are selected from the group consisting of <NUM>-butyryl-O-butyric acid, <NUM>-hydroxybutyl-<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate and <NUM>,<NUM>-butandiol-<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate monoester; wherein the ketone body material is present in the final formulation in an amount of <NUM> parts by weight (pbw) to <NUM> pbw;
(b) propylene glycol; wherein the propylene glycol is present in the final formulation in an amount in the range of <NUM> pbw to <NUM> pbw;
(c) ethanol; wherein the ethanol is present in the final formulation in an amount equivalent to <NUM> pbw to <NUM> pbw of <NUM>% ethanol;
(d) water; wherein the water is present in the final formulation in an amount of from <NUM> pbw to <NUM> pbw, exclusive of water contributed by the <NUM>% ethanol used in component (c);
(e) natural or synthetic flavor selected from bitter orange, grape and mixtures thereof; wherein the total flavor oils are present in the final formulation in an amount of <NUM> pbw to <NUM> pbw;
(f) a high potency sweetener; wherein the high potency sweetener is present in the final formulation in an amount of from <NUM> pbw to <NUM> pbw; and
(g) a bitter mask agent which is <NUM>-(<NUM>-((<NUM>,<NUM>-Dimethylisoxazol-<NUM>-yl)methyl)-<NUM>-pyrazol-<NUM>-yl)-<NUM>-(<NUM>-hydroxbenzyl)imidazolidine-<NUM>,<NUM>-dione; wherein the bitter masking agent is present in an amount of from <NUM> pbw to <NUM> pbw.