Absorption of orally administered enzymes

A large number of clinical studies have already been conducted in which animal serine and vegetable cysteine proteinases and combination preparations of them for oral use have been shown to arrest and heal acute and chronic inflammation. The pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of these preparations are still a matter of controversy, however, because it is difficult to determine the absorption of these active substances. Experiments have produced false-positive and false-negative results no matter which procedure is used. The heterogeneity of knowledge within this field prompted a symposium, held in 1993 in Munich. This volume contains the findings of this meeting and does away with old dogmas - enzymes can indeed be absorbed!