How is it possible for Enzymes to get absorbed undigested [closed]








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We as medical practitioners frequently prescribe enzymatic preparations like Trypsin-Chymotrypsin, which actually are proteins. Often I wonder how come a protein gets absorbed undigested, through our intestine, and reaches the site of its action (inflamed tissues)? After all we have been taught in biochemistry & physiology that protein, before getting absorbed, must be broken down into its constituent amino acids.




Too long for a comment:


In order for a protein to be absorbed, two things are required: (1) It needs to reach the absorption sites of the gut intact; and (2) It must be able to pass through the intestinal lining.


Gerhard Lorkowski [1] claims "Due to enteric coating, degradation of the protein structure to single amino acids or peptides in the acidic environment of the stomach is reduced." and "Research has confirmed that peptides and larger protein molecules pass through the mucosal barrier of the gastrointestinal tract."


The first claim is plausible to me. I don't know about the second. It's intriguing, but Lorkowski didn't provide any references to support it.


I'd recommend asking this question on Biology SE. You can relate what Lorkowski wrote as a starting point.


[1] Lorkowski, Gerhard. “Gastrointestinal absorption and biological activities of serine and cysteine proteases of animal and plant origin: review on absorption of serine and cysteine proteases.” *International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology*, vol. 4,1 (2012): 10-27.
<https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3312459/>


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