The human body requires enzymes to initiate the chemical reactions necessary for metabolism. All living entities use enzymes to function. Enzymes contain protein or amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Candida Care Plus reports that 3,000 different enzymes function in the body. The various digestive enzymes work to break down nutrients. Proteases break down protein nutrients, amylases digest carbohydrate items and lipases metabolize fat substances.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis arises from repeated stress to the joints such as the knee, hands, hips, the upper and lower back, according to Mayo Clinic. The cartilage in the joint normally cushions the stress, but the cartilage wears out, inflammation and pathological, metabolic processes ensue, and the bones end up rubbing directly against each other. Pain and progressive inflammation occur from the lack of cartilage. The bone endings expand and create deformity in the joint. Joint deformity adds to the limitation in mobility. Osteoarthritis produces more limitation in daily functioning among mid-life and older adults than any other disease in industrialized society.
Cartilage and Digestive Enzymes
"Arthritis and Rheumatism" describes the biology of joint cartilage. Cartilage in the joints is composed of extracellular matrix proteins. In normal cartilage, a balance exists between anabolism or the synthesis of proteins in the cartilage and catabolism or the breakdown of protein in the cartilage. The disintegration or breakdown of cells occurs via the digestive enzyme, matrix metalloproteinase. The "metallo" addition to the enzyme name arises from the requirement for zinc in order to function. More than 25 matrix metalloproteinase enzymes exist, but only a few appear to be involved in cartilage turnover. Consequently, matrix metalloproteinase enzymes function in both healthy states and disease.
Digestive Enzymes and Arthritis
According to "Cells, Tissues and Organs," the pathological or abnormal processes implicated in osteoarthritis involve a takeover by the matrix metalloproteinase enzymes in bone and cartilage in the joints. Cartilage repair or synthesis fails to act in restoring cartilage to normal function. Chondrocytes, synovial cells and macrophages release the matrix metalloproteinase enzymes causing the damage in the cartilage, bone and joint space. Chondrocyte cells arise from the cartilage. The joint fluid produces the synovial cells. Macrophages develop from the circulating white blood cells.
Future Directions
"Current Pharmaceutical Design" describes the involvement of matrix metalloproteinase enzymes in the pathology of inflammation and arthritis, but little knowledge currently exists about the actual processes that turn the enzymes on and off. Studies to understand the pathways that lead to the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis continue. The hope with ongoing research is to uncover new drug therapies that target different pathways in the altered physiology of osteoarthritis.
References
- Candida Care Plus: Digestive Enzymes
- Mayo Clinic: Osteoarthritis
- "Arthritis and Rheumatism"; Characterization of Metalloprotease Cleavage Products of Human Articular Cartilage; E. Y. Zhen et al.; 2008
- "Cells, Tissues and Organs"; Pathophysiological Mechanisms in Osteoarthritis; C. J. Malemud et al.; 2003
- "Current Pharmaceutical Design"; A Fresh Prospect of Extracellular Matrix Hydrolytic Enzymes and their Substrates; M. D. Roycik et al.; 2009
