title: Proteolytic activity of blowfly larvae secretions in experimental burns.
abstract: Secretions of larvae of the blowfly Calliphora erythrocephala digested experimental rat skin burn eschar in vivo and in vitro when applied topically in a vanishing cream base. Debridement was characterized by de-epithelialization and digestion of dermal collagen to a subfollicular level over a 3-day period. Analytic investigation of the secretions demonstrated the presence of enzymes with activities characteristic of trypsin, leucine aminopeptidase, and carboxypeptidases A and B. These were partially characterized. There was no evidence of chymotrypsin, elastase, or collagenase. Preparation of a suitable therapeutic form could result in a preparation useful for enzymatic debridement.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D003646:Debridement; D004175:Diptera / Q000378:metabolism; D007814:Larva; D009824:Ointments; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases