Plasma/intestinal Concentration Patterns Suggestive of Entero-Portal Recirculation of Amino Acids: Effects of Oral Administration of Asparaginase, Glutaminase and Tyrosinase Immobilized by Microencapsulation in Artificial Cells

Abstract

This study suggests the presence of an entero-portal recirculation of amino acids. Endogenous sources of amino acids are secreted at high concentration into the small intestine. Most of the amino acids are absorbed as the content passes down the small intestine. Plasma amino acid concentrations arc on the average only 1-5% of the concentrations in the duodunum. This is true even in rats on 24 hours of water and sugar with no exogenous sources of amino acids. For example, the PLASMA:DUODENUM concentrations (μmole/litre) are: Asparagine 37:7164, Tyrosine 94:9579, and glutamine/histidine 409:9708. This entero-portal recirculation of amino acids means the potenital of a method for specific depletion of body amino acids by oral ingestion of bioreactants like immobilized enzymes. Preliminary studies used artificial cells to immobilize asparaginase, glutaminase and tyrosinase by microencapsulation. Six hours after 1 oral administration, asparagine, glutamine and tyrosine in the ileum were lowered to 10% of the level of the control. Artificial cells containing no enzymes were used as the control.