Inhibition of Hyaluronidase

Abstract

The ubiquitous occurrence of hyaluronidase, and its striking effects on the ground substance of connective tissue, have attracted considerable attention concerning its biological importance. The inhibition of this enzyme has been studied for the explanation of the mechanism of action of anti-rheumatic drugs and as a means of discovering new drugs. There is no definitive evidence to support the belief that hyaluronidase has any etiological relationship to rheumatic diseases. The general approach to this problem from the point of view of the metabolism of mucopolysaccharides may yield information of more immediate application. Certain inhibitors of hyaluronidase may affect other enzymes involved in hyaluronic acid metabolism, since inhibition probably depends upon chemical similarity to the substrate. Even in the case of certain low molecular weight compounds, inhibition of hyaluronidase probably depends upon polymerization or micelle formation. The existence of a serum inhibitor is of interest, although the biological function remains unknown. The levels of this substance rise in a variety of diseases, but the reasons and significance of these changes are not clear. Specific antibodies of hyaluronidases from various sources have been well demonstrated and appear to be of some diagnostic value in complications of streptococcal infection, such as acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulo-nephritis.