Development of a 13C Stable Isotope Assay for Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Enzyme Activity A New Breath Test for Dipeptidyl Peptidase Activity

Circulating Dipeptidyl Peptidase Activity Is a Potential Biomarker for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

INTRODUCTION

Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 is part of a larger family of proteases referred to as DPPs. DPP4 has been suggested as a possible biomarker for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Circulating DPP4 (cDPP4) enzyme activity was investigated as a potential biomarker for IBD. In addition, DPP enzyme activity and gene expression were quantified in colonic tissue of patients with IBD and non-IBD.

METHODS

In study 1, DPP enzyme activity was quantified in plasma samples from 220 patients with IBD (Crohn's disease [CD] n = 130 and ulcerative colitis [UC] n = 90) and non-IBD controls (n = 26) using a colorimetric assay. In study 2, tissue and plasma samples were collected from 26 patients with IBD and 20 non-IBD controls. Plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) was quantified in all patients. Colonic DPP4, DPP8, DPP9, and fibroblast activation protein (FAP) gene expression was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. cDPP and cFAP enzyme activity was also measured. Sensitivity and specificity were determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS

In study 1, total cDPP activity was found to differentiate patients with CD with active disease (n = 18) from those in remission (n = 19; sensitivity 78% and specificity 63%). In study 2, total cDPP and cFAP activity was 28% and 48% lower in patients with elevated CRP (>10 mg/L), respectively, compared with patients with normal CRP. Gene expression of DPP4, FAP, and DPP8 was also significantly higher in colonic biopsies from patients with IBD compared with non-IBD patients (P < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

Our findings implicate the DPP enzyme family in intestinal inflammation and suggest future biomarker applications to differentiate the pathophysiological aspects of IBD.

The perceptions of natural compounds against dipeptidyl peptidase 4 in diabetes: from in silico to in vivo

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4), an incretin glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) degrading enzyme, contains two forms and it can exert various physiological functions particular in controlling blood glucose through the action of GLP-1. In diabetic use, the DPP-4 inhibitor can block the DDP-4 to attenuate GLP-1 degradation and prolong GLP-1 its action and sensitize insulin activity for the purpose of lowering blood glucose. Nonetheless the adverse effects of DPP-4 inhibitors severely hinder their clinical applications, and notably there is a clinical demand for novel DPP-4 inhibitors from various sources including chemical synthesis, herbs, and plants with fewer side effects. In this review, we highlight various strategies, namely computational biology (in silico), in vitro enzymatic and cell assays, and in vivo animal tests, for seeking natural DPP-4 inhibitors from botanic sources including herbs and plants. The pros and cons of all approaches for new inhibitor candidates or hits will be under discussion.