Outlooks of systemic enzyme therapy in rheumatoid arthritis and other immunopathological diseases

Systemic enzyme therapy (SET) represents a specific therapeutic approach consisting in peroral application of blends of animal and plant hydrolytic enzymes. A significant part of the swallowed enzymes (about 25%) is resorbed in the intestine in functionally active form. After being complexed with natural antiproteases, enzymes set concentrated in wounds, inflammation sites and immunopathological foci. SET has many important indications in traumatologic, thrombotic, infectious, inflammatory, immunopathologic and even tumorous processes. Rheumatoid arthritis, Bechterew's disease, activated arthrosis and extraarticular rheumatism represent important and sensitive targets of SET. In situ and in vivo studies continue to elucidate selective interferences of absorbed proteolytic enzymes with the crucial pathogenic mechanisms of rheumatoid processes.