PROTEOLYTIC ENZYME ACTIVITY IN THE GRANULATION TISSUE OF THE HUMAN BURN WOUND

Abstract

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 chymotryp: in-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 leucinespecific 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.