Although not for analytical purposes immobilised enzymes are also used to improve the lives of lactose-intolerant adults who suffer from abdominal pains and diarrhoea. As milk is an important dietary component those who are lactose intolerant often still wish to drink it. Therefore, scientists use immobilised enzymes to create lactose-free milk. Sterilised skimmed milk is placed in a column packed with immobilised yeast lactase. The immobilised enzymes hydrolyse the lactose to form glucose and galactose and therefore produced is lactose-free milk.
Another analytical test in Medicine is used to detect antibodies particular to a certain infection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA’s) use chromogenic substances to produce a signal, usually a fluorescent colour (en.wikipedia.org). ELISA’s accurately measure the amount of a substance present in a serum or substance. The enzymes act as amplifiers to the sometimes minimal enzyme linked antibodies present.
The 5 main steps in ELISA tests are:
- Prepare an antigen bound plate
- Apply the enzyme-linked antibodies and let them bind to the substance
- Remove any unbound antibodies by washing the plate
-
Apply a chemical, converted by the enzyme into a signal.
- If the plate produces a fluorescent signal then the substance was present.
The ELISA test is often the first stage in screening for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (Curry, 2002). This allows sufferers to be treated more quickly and will often prolong their lives.
Similar tests can also be performed to test for the presence of certain enzymes. For
example, a doctor may prescribe a test for liver enzymes in the bloodstream if he/she suspects a damaged liver may be the concern.
The second application of enzymes I shall examine is pharmaceuticals. The Pharmaceutical industry has begun to see the advantages of enzymes and more and more products are placed on the open market every month.
Minor medical problems can also be treated with enzymes. An example is the cleaning of teeth and dentures. Papain has a well known use; to remove stains from teeth (Pickering, 1994). Companies such as Novozymes (www.novozymes.com) are now producing enzymes which can clean not only dentures (EverlaseTM 6.0 T) but also contact lenses (Clear-Lens® Pro), by using a highly purifies protease.
Proteases are also used as anti-inflammatory reagents, an example of which is ibuprofen. The protease inhibits the production of prostaglandin’s, which are messenger molecules in the process of inflammation (en.wikipedia.org). Therefore, when inflammation is painful, anti-inflammatory drugs can prevent the patient feeling the effect as the pain is not relayed to the brain. The highly complex structure of enzymes makes them ideal targets for many drugs (Blanchflower, 2003).
Enzymes, such as , and , can also aid digestion for those who have been discovered to have a less effective digestive system. Having a poor digestive system can result in continuous stomach upsets and may result in the body not receiving desired proteins. Digestive enzyme supplements add to the amount of naturally occurring digestive enzymes and therefore promote good digestion and improve nutrient absorption.
The use of medical enzymes in hospitals is the third and final enzyme usage I shall analyse.
Enzyme Replacement Therapy is a relatively new discovery in medicine. It is a form of treatment for specific conditions in which a specific enzyme is missing or produced at a low level due to a genetic defect (http://www.banespct.nhs.uk/documents/Board_Papers/2004 /March/Agenda%20item%2015%20-%20Interventions%20Not%20Normally%20Funded.htm). Gaucher disease is one example of a specific genetic disorder which ERT has been developed. Gaucher disease is due to an accumulation of glucocerebroside (Gaucher cells), because of a deficiency in the enzyme glucocerebrosidase. The results of this deficiency is that "Gaucher cells" which displace healthy cells in bone marrow, cause an enlargement of the liver and spleen, organ dysfunction, and deterioration of the skeleton. Enzyme Replacement Therapy replaces the defected glucocerebrosidase for functioning glucocerebrosidase. Although ERT is likely to be a lifelong treatment, the patient often feels as though they have had a new lease of life (http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/ uvahealth/peds_genetics/vitamin.cfm).
Enzymatic debridement a form of wound therapy which involves the breakdown of unwanted tissue, often enhanced through the use of enzymes. Enzymes often used in wound therapy include streptokinase and streptodonase (http://www.ncchta.org/fullmono/mon51 4.pdf).
In conclusion, enzymes play a major part in the effectiveness of the medical industry on its patients. Enzymes allow doctors to diagnose people quicker and with much more accuracy than would be possible without biosensors or assays, allowing treatment to be more successful. The pharmaceutical industry also received a huge boost when the properties of enzymes were put to good use. Drugs to aid digestion, enzymes which aid teeth cleanliness and anti-inflammatory agents allow for quick and easy treatment of minor medical annoyances. And finally the application of enzymes in hospitals, such as Enzyme replacement therapy and to aid surgical processes, often results in life saving or life prolonging treatment being successful. Many people would be much more seriously ill without the application of enzymes in medicine.
Bibliography
Blanchflower, J et. al. February 2003. Biological Sciences Review: Volume 15 - Number 3.
Curry, A et. al. April 2002. Biological Sciences Review: Volume 14 - Number 4.
Fullick, A. 2000. Heinemann ADVANCED Science BIOLOGY - 2nd Ed. Heinemann.
Simpkins, J. Williams, J.I. 1992. Advanced Biology - 3rd Ed. Scot Print Ltd.
Wikipedia. 2004. .
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