Impact of systemic enzyme supplementation on low-grade inflammation in humans

Systemic enzyme therapy has been shown to be efficient in treating pain and inflammation associated with injury or musculoskeletal disorders. However, whether systemic enzyme supplementation also attenuates subclinical inflammation remains to be investigated. In this randomized controlled trial, we investigated the impact of systemic enzyme supplementation on inflammatory gene expression as well as on markers of inflammation in 24 adult men and women with subclinical inflammation (serum C-reactive protein [CRP] levels >1 mg/L and <10 mg/L). Participants were supplemented with systemic enzymes (Wobenzym®450 FIP from bromelain and 1440 FIP from trypsin, 6 tablets/d) or placebo for periods of 4 weeks separated by a 4-week washout period. Systemic enzyme supplementation had no impact on expression levels of whole blood cell inflammatory genes compared with placebo but significantly reduced serum IL-6 levels (p = 0.04). However, there was a significant sex × treatment interaction for IL-6 (p = 0.02) and CRP (p = 0.007). Specifically, both serum IL-6 and CRP concentrations were significantly reduced in men (p ≤ 0.03) but not in women (p ≥ 0.08). This study suggests that short-term supplementation with systemic enzymes may attenuate subclinical inflammation, with perhaps greater effects among men than among women.