ABSTRACT
Enzymes have been employed as digestive aids for conditions such as lactose intolerance and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency to beneficial effect. However, there are many other enzymes currently marketed as digestive aids for less clearly defined conditions, which makes determination of their efficacy difficult. The initial manufacturing steps typically involved concentrating and partially purifying the enzyme by precipitation using sodium benzoate, ammonium sulfate, or ethanol. Repeated administration of natural ancrod to patients suffering from thrombotic diseases results in a stimulation of the immune system, which counteracts the pharmacological activity of the enzyme, limiting its clinical applicability. The transgenic enzyme and the Chinese hamster ovary recombinant enzyme were both found to have similar therapeutic effects. Therapeutic Superoxide dismutase has traditionally been derived form bovine liver by enzymatic digestion of an aqueous liver extract. The testicular-type hyaluronidases have thus far been most exploited from a therapeutic standpoint.
