STUDY OF THE LACRIMAL FLUID PROTEOLYTIC-E NZYMES AND THEIR INHIBITORSIN INFLAMMATORY DISEASES OF THE CORNEA

Trypsin- and elastase-like proteinase activities, antitryptic activity , and alpha2-macroglobulin level were measured in the lacrimal fluid o f rabbits after dosed alkaline burn of the cornea over the course of b urn process. In 8 % of animals deep ulcers and perforations of the cor nea developed within the first two weeks after the injury. In the rest animals corneal ulceration attained its maximum on day 21, and they c onstituted two groups, equal in number, with ulceration of the superfi cial and medium layers of corneal stroma (group 1) and with deep ulcer s and perforations (group 2). Proteolytic enzymes were undetectable in the lacrimal fluid of 8 % of rabbits with the most grave course of th e disease both before and after the burn. In group 1 trypsin-like acti vity was lowered both before and after burn, antitryptic activity high er and alpha2-macroglobulin level lower that in group 2. The authors c ome to a conclusion that trypsin-like and antitryptic activities and a 2-macroglobulin level in the lacrimal fluid are objective characterist ics permitting a prediction of the inflammatory process course in the cornea and helping determine the necessity and trend of proteolysis co rrection.