Experimental Emphysema in Rats: Elastolytic Titer of Inducing Enzyme as Determinant of the Response 1

Abstract

Summary

Emphysema-like lesions have been produced in rat lungs by iv administration of various proteolytic enzymes. The severity of the reaction was found to depend on the activity of the enzyme injected. The effect of six microbial proteases was compared in terms of ease of emphysema induction, degree of damage of the fiber structure and accompanying hemorrhage. A positive relationship was established between elastolytic titer of the inducing enzyme and development of emphysematous lesions. On the other hand, hemorrhage was proportional to total proteolytic titer. Best results were obtained when the ratio of specific elastolytic to total proteolytic activity was high.

We thank Mr. John Moret for skillful performance of the animal experiments and Miss Mabel Wong for determining enzyme activities.