Proteolytic enzyme activity in the granulation tissue of the human burn wound.
A procedure for adsorbing enzymes from the human burn wound onto solid sheets of substrate is described. Using this technique, low levels of enzyme activity with chymotrypsin-like specificity can be demonstrated in the wound approximately 2 weeks after injury. This activity disappears at about 5 weeks after the burn. The enzyme activity corresponds with the clinical experience for the time course of natural loss of the burn eschar. A trypsin-like enzyme of very low level activity is present in the wound. No collagenase was detected in the human burn wound. Preliminary evidence shows an additional leucine-specific enzyme in the human burn wound. A more detailed analysis of enzymes in the human burn wound should permit the development of a useful artificial debriding agent. Presently these preparations must be used with caution.
D000293:Adolescent; D001458:Bandages; D002056:Burns / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002918:Chymotrypsin / Q000032:analysis; D003646:Debridement; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000032:analysis; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis*; D012867:Skin; D013997:Time Factors; D014357:Trypsin / Q000032:analysis; D014945:Wound Healing
D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D002918:Chymotrypsin; D014357:Trypsin; D003012:Microbial Collagenase