Some features of intestinal absorption of intact fibrinolytic enzyme III-1from Lumbricus rubellus

In order to investigate whether earthworm fibrinolytic enzyme III-1 (EFE-II I-1) isolated from Lumbricus rubellus is capable of transporting into blood through intestinal epithelium and keeping its biological function in circu lation, we have raised an antibody against EFE-III-I. The immunological res ults showed that 10-15% of intact EFE-III-I was absorbed by the intestinal epithelium with the incubation chamber method [Vilhardt and Lundin, Acta Ph ysiol. Scand. 126 (1986) 601-607]. The enzyme could be detected in the inte stinal epithelial cells by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, immunoreactiv e intact EFE-III-I was found in serum or plasma after intraperitoneal injec tion of rats. Approx. 10% of the full-size enzyme could transport through t he intestinal epithelium. The maximum remaining activity in blood could be assayed around 60 min after the intraperitoneal injection. (C) 2001 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.