PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES : II. THE PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CONTROL OF THEIR ACTIVITY, ESPECIALLY WITH RESPECT TO BACTERIAL GROWTH.
IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE ACTIVITY OF LEUCOPROTEASE AND SERUM ANTIPROTEASE MAY PROVE USEFUL IN THE FURTHER STUDY AND UNDERSTANDING OF SUCH PHENOMENA AS: (1) inflammation; (2) the resolution of inflammatory exudates and the absorption of absorbable foreign bodies; (3) the protection of joint and other structures from the proteolytic action of leucoprotease; (4) the neutralization of the destructive protease liberated in acute pancreatitis and from duodenal fistulae; (5) experimental arteriosclerosis and arteriolonecrosis; (6) the coagulation of the blood; (7) the possibility of prolonging the action of insulin; (8) the release of thyroglobulin by the thyroid gland; (9) bacterial growth and sulfonamide action. In this last respect evidence has been presented that the products of the hydrolysis of protein by leucoprotease stimulate bacterial growth and directly and indirectly inhibit sulfonamide action, and the hope has been expressed that the ability to control leucoprotease action may contribute to the more successful use of chemotherapeutic agents in purulent lesions.
Grob
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Department of Bacteriology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore.