Protease (from A. oryzae)

Dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP IV) is an essential peptidase for antigen presentation. DPP IV promotes a normal cellular immune response and is important for the production of immune messengers that regulate immunity and inflammation. Preliminary research has shown that DPP IV cleaves and inactivates tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), regulating the extracellular TNF-a concentration. TNF-a is an immune messenger that promotes inflammation and plays a significant part in autoimmune disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Over activation of the immune system during an infection can drive the immune system into a state of autoimmunity, which leads to cellular damage and chronic inflammation. Autoimmunity can be promoted through the inappropriate activation of white blood cells by dietary peptide sequences such as gliadins found in gluten.

The problem is made worse by a lack of DPP IV enzyme activity in certain gastrointestinal conditions. Lower peptidase levels reduce the body's ability to metabolize proteins, especially proteins containing proline because DPP IV is needed for their assimilation. This results in the accumulation of undigested peptide fragments, which are thought to elicit an immune response that can inflame the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

Oral supplementation with DPP IV enzymes prevents the activation of the immune system by breaking down dietary peptides from food - a significant benefit for those suffering from autoimmune diseases.

DPP ZYME^TM from AOR is a unique protease formula that provides standardized DPP IV activity.

References

Vojdani A, Bazargan M, Vojdani E, Samadi J, Nourian AA, Eghbalieh N, Cooper EL. Heat shock protein and gliadin peptide promote development of peptidase antibodies in children with autism and patients with autoimmune disease. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 2004 May;11(3):515-24.

Sedo A, Malik R. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV-like molecules: homologous proteins or homologous activities? Biochim Biophys Acta. 2001 Dec 17;1550(2):107-16. Review.

Tiruppathi C, Miyamoto Y, Ganapathy V, Leibach FH. Genetic evidence for role of DPP IV in intestinal hydrolysis and assimilation of prolyl peptides. Am J Physiol. 1993 Jul;265(1 Pt 1):G81-9.