Inhibition of Egg-White Edema by Proteolytic Enzymes

Abstract

Summary In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory action of trypsin a number of proteolytic enzymes were tested against edema produced in rats by local injection of egg-white. Enzymes tested included chymotrypsin, streptokinase, prolase B and fibrinolysin. All were active in suppressing the experimental edema and all showed the same order of activity as trypsin except fibrinolysin, which was appreciably weaker. In the case of trypsin the anti-inflammatory action was found to be a function of proteolytic activity; it varied with the activity of partially and completely inactivated samples of this enzyme.