The production of microbial polysaccharides has recently gained much interest because of their potential biotechnological applications. Several pathogenic bacteria are known to produce capsular polysaccharides, which provide a protection barrier towards harsh environmental conditions, and towards host defences in case of invasive infections. These capsules are often composed of glycosaminoglycan-like polymers. Glycosaminoglycans are essential structural components of the mammalian extracellular matrix and they have several applications in the medical, veterinary, pharmaceutical and cosmetic field because of their peculiar properties. Most of the commercially available glycosaminoglycans have so far been extracted from animal sources, and therefore the structural similarity of microbial capsular polysaccharides to these biomolecules makes these bacteria ideal candidates as non-animal sources of glycosaminoglycan-derived products. One example is hyaluronic acid which was formerly extracted from hen crests, but is nowadays produced via Streptococci fermentations. On the other hand, no large scale biotechnological production processes for heparin and chondrotin sulfate have been developed. The larger demand of these biopolymers compared to hyaluronic acid (tons vs kilograms), due to the higher titre in the final product (grams vs milligrams/dose), and the scarce scientific effort have hampered the successful development of fermentative processes. In this paper we present an overview of the diverse applications and production methods of chondroitin reported so far in literature with a specific focus on novel microbial biotechnological approaches.

Production of chondroitin sulfate and chondroitin

A method of utilizing the chymotrypsin level of an individual as a measure of the success of secretin, other neuropeptides, and peptides or digestive enzyme administration to such individuals, and in particular, as a prognosticative of potential secretin, other neuropeptides, peptides, and digestive enzyme administration for persons having ADD, ADHD, Autism and other PDD related disorders.

Method for treating pervasive development disorders

This invention relates to coated digestive enzyme preparations and enzyme delivery systems and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the preparations. This invention further relates to methods of preparation and use of the systems, pharmaceutical compositions and preparations to treat persons having ADD, ADHD, autism, cystic fibrosis and other behavioral and neurological disorders.

Enzyme delivery systems and methods of preparation and use

A treatment for autism in which an effective amount of lactulose is administered in order to bind excess ammonia in the gastrointestinal tract, the bloodstream, and the nervous system in order to prevent or reverse ammonia poisoning caused by the administration of certain antibiotics. Lactulose molecules in the colon are fermented by certain bacteria. The fermentation process lowers the colonic pH, and ammonia, in the form of ammonium ions, is used by the bacteria for amino acid and protein synthesis. This lowers the serum ammonia levels and reduces neurotoxicity.

Use of lactulose in the treatment of autism

A method for treating a Parkinson's patient with digestive/pancreatic enzymes involves administering an effective amount of digestive/pancreatic enzymes to an individual having the disorder in order to improve a symptom of the disorder. In addition, a method is provided for determining whether an individual has, or may develop, Parkinson's disease or related dysautonomic disorders and for determining whether an individual will benefit from the administration of pancreatic/digestive enzymes to treat the dysautonomic disorder.

Method of treating and diagnosing Parkinson's disease and related dysautonomic disorders

The present technology relates to an enzyme composition. The enzyme composition may be used to treat gluten intolerant subjects, including suffering from non-Celiac gluten intolerance and/or non-Celiac gluten sensitivity. The enzyme composition may also be used to reduce gluten exposure in certain individuals. For example, the enzyme composition may also be used as a prophylactic to reduce exposure to gluten oligopeptides.

Use of proteases for gluten intolerance

Described is chondroitin sulfate obtained from microbial sources, and related compositions and methods.

Microbial-derived chondroitin sulfate

La presente technologie a trait a une composition d'enzyme. La composition d'enzyme peut etre utilisee pour traiter des sujets presentant une intolerance au gluten, y compris les sujets souffrant d'une intolerance au gluten non cœliaque et/ou d'une sensibilite au gluten non cœliaque. La composition d'enzyme peut egalement etre utilisee afin de reduire l'exposition au gluten chez certains individus. Par exemple, la composition d'enzyme peut egalement etre utilisee en tant qu'element prophylactique afin de reduire l'exposition aux oligopeptides de gluten.

Tetsuya Takahashi

Papers

Use of proteases for gluten intolerance

Microbial-derived chondroitin sulfate

Utilisation de protéases pour intolérance au gluten