Effects of oral administration of artificial cells immobilized phenylalanine ammonia-lyase on intestinal amino acids of phenylketonuric rats.

Intraperitoneal injections of para-Chlorophenylalanine methyl ester and Phenylalanine solution were used to produce phenylketonuria in rats. By the use of different diets and orally administered Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) loaded artificial cells, the Phenylalanine concentration gradient between the plasma and the gastro-intestinal lumen was varied. Other changes in related amino acids levels were also studied. The transport of neutral amino acids, across the gastro-intestinal membrane to the plasma, was decreased by the presence of a high concentration of phenylalanine in the intestinal lumen. Unlike Phenylalanine free diet, oral administration of PAL loaded artificial cells to PKU rats on normal diets resulted in much lower levels of intestinal phenylalanine.