title: The Seventh Frederick H. Verhoeff Lecture. Collagenase and collagenase inhibitors.
abstract: Besides EDTA and cysteine, cystine and penicillamine are the best collagenase inhibitors. The collagenase is produced by the leucocytes. The action mechanism of the collagenase inhibitors is due to the chelation of Zn ions. The best clinical indications for collagenase inhibitors are punctate epithelial keratitis, chemical burns, recurrent corneal erosions in keratoconus, trophic postinfectious ulcerations of the cornea (metaherpetic ulcers), and descemetoceles.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000188:drug therapy; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003553:Cystine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011817:Rabbits; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D003553:Cystine; D003094:Collagen; D004492:Edetic Acid; D003012:Microbial Collagenase; D010396:Penicillamine; D015032:Zinc