The efficacy of systemic enzyme therapy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

A total of 156 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were enrolled in a clinical study on safety and efficacy of oral enzyme therapy in a treatment involving methotrexate and NSAID. One group (n=65) received methotrexate al a dose of 7.5-10 mg/week and NSAID, while the second group (n=91) additionally received an oral enzyme combination preparation (Wobenzym(R)) in a daily dosage of 15-30 dragees. The group taking enzymes showed superior efficacy in the therapy with regard to Ritchie index (improvement: 10.7 points in group one versus 14.4 points in group hive), morning stiffness (improvement: 49.6 minutes in group one versus 92.0 minutes in group two), and Lee index (improvement: 4.2 points in group one versus 5.7 in group two). Laboratory findings showed a decrease in circulating immune complexes by 30.3 % in group one and 42.2% in group two al the end of therapy These beneficial effects of combining oral enzyme therapy with standard therapy in rheumatoid arthritis are supported by several findings in the immunological laboratory The serum concentrations of interferons were reduced after 6 months of therapy in the enzyme group to almost normal values as compared to two to three times higher values in the control group. The stimulated interferon production was about 70% (IFN-alpha), and 90% (IFN-gamma) increased after treatment in the enzyme group (about 20% and 30% respectively in the control group), in addition, serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha) were significantly more reduced in the enzyme group than in the control group (control versus enzyme group IL-1 beta: -4.1 pg/ml versus -10.3 pg/ml; TNF-alpha: -75.1 pg/ml versus -179.5 pg/ml).