COLLAGENASE ACTIVITY IN HUMAN UMBILICAL-CORD

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 12  (3) , 258-262
Abstract
The collagenolytic system of 10 human umbilical cords was estimated by tissue culture assay. Collagenolytic activity was found in the range of about 10-3 units of collagenase, by comparing the tissue explants with known collagenase concentration on filter paper. EDTA, an inhibitor of collagenases from human granulocytes, did not prevent the lysis. Normal human serum in a concentration of 1 mg/ml inhibited the enzyme up to 36.34% (mean inhibition 29.67%). The rest of the activity was due to a tissue collagenolytic system. The whole activity was prevented by o-phenanthroline. The regression of the human umbilical cord was nor primarily mumification but due to the activity of the collagenolytic enzyme system.

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