Fecal enzymes

Fecal enzymes represent a heterogeneous group of biocatalysts found in human or animal excreta, primarily originating from the gut microbiota or exocrine pancreatic secretions. Within this category, microbial enzymes such as beta-glucuronidase, beta-glucosidase, and various reductases play pivotal roles in the metabolic activation of carcinogens and the reactivation of drug metabolites. For instance, gut microbial beta-glucuronidases can deconjugate the inactive metabolite of irinotecan (SN-38G) back into its toxic form (SN-38) in the intestinal lumen, leading to severe dose-limiting diarrhea. Additionally, host-derived fecal enzymes like elastase-1 serve as clinical gold-standard biomarkers for assessing exocrine pancreatic function. Modern therapeutic strategies often focus on the targeted inhibition of specific fecal microbial enzymes to mitigate drug-induced toxicities or to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer associated with high enzymatic conversion of pro-carcinogens into active toxins.

Other names

Fecal microbial enzymesGut microbial enzymesIntestinal bacterial enzymesStool enzymesFecal microbiota enzymes

Inhibition of microbial beta-glucuronidase to prevent reactivation of toxic drug metabolites; competitive inhibition of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes; replacement therapy for deficient pancreatic enzymes.