Comparative study of proteolytic enzymes used for debridement of purulent wounds

Necrolytic and fibrinolytic activity of 6 proteases used in surgery for debridement of purulent wounds is studiedin vitro. The results are compared with the therapeutic effect elecited in a rat model of purulent wound. Crab collagenase, lysoamidase, and chymopsin are more active than protease C, terrilytin, and caripazyme. The results obtained agree with the data on the activity of proteases towards wound proteins and lay the basis for an original explanation of the mechanisms responsible for wound debridement with the help of collagenolytic proteases.