Guest guest Posted July 5, 2006 Report Share Posted July 5, 2006 This sounds like it will be like the Lactaid pill that Gareth takes for dairy. Enzyme Combination Therapy May Be Useful for Celiac Disease NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jun 27 - Early tests suggest that a two-enzyme therapy that hydrolyzes gluten under gastric conditions may be beneficial for patients with celiac disease. In two papers appearing in the June issue of Chemistry and Biology, Dr. Chaitan Khosla and colleagues, from Stanford University in California, describe the creation of the oral enzyme therapy, which they believe could alleviate many of the symptoms and complications of celiac sprue. First, the researchers discuss the generation of recombinant EP-B2, a self-activating cysteine endoprotease found in barley seeds. In the study, the proenzyme precursor of EP-B2 was expressed in Escherichia coli. Following purification and refolding steps, the precursor was autoactivated under acidic conditions to change it into its mature form. Further testing of EP-B2 showed that it efficiently hydrolyzed alpha-2-gliadin, a recombinant wheat gluten protein, at regions known to be immunotoxic to celiac disease patients. In the second study, EP-B2, which works under gastric conditions, was coupled with a prolyl endopeptidase (PEP), an anti-gluten enzyme that functions in the duodenum. Testing of this compound in simulated intestinal conditions resulted in rapid and complete detoxification of grocery store gluten. " Non-dietary therapies that allow celiac patients to safely incorporate low-to-moderate levels of gluten into their daily diet would be of considerable benefit, " Dr. Khosla said in a statement. The researchers note that gluten is ubiquitous, and food labeling often does not indicate its presence. " Our results suggest that recombinant EP-B2 should be effective as supportive therapy to help celiacs cope with the 'hidden' gluten in everyday life, " Dr. Khosla said, " and that a two-enzyme cocktail containing PEP and EP-B2 may even allow celiacs to resume a more normal diet in the future. " Chem Biol 2006;13:637-648,649-658. ____________________________________ Reuters Health Information 2006. © 2006 Reuters Ltd. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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