Medicinal Uses of Enzymes Urokinase, Collagenase and Dextran

Significance of the Enzyme Urokinase

Urokinase is the enzyme produced by the kidney and is obtained from the human urine or kidney tissue cultures. It is a lyophilised white powder and is soluble in water. It activates the endogenous fibrinolytic system, which converts plasminogen to plasmin and degrades fibrinogen, fibrin clots and other plasma proteins.

Medicinal Uses of Urokinase:

It is used to dissolve the fibrin or blood clots in the anterior chamber of the eye and in acute massive pulmonary emboli. As it is derived from the human source, it is less antigenic than the enzymes with similar actions like streptokinase.

Significance of the Enzyme Collagenase

Collagenase is an enzyme derived from fermentation of Clostridium histolyticum. It has the capacity to digest the native and denatured collagen.

English: Cartoon representation of the molecular structure of protein registered with 1cgf code. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The potency of this enzyme is expressed in terms of its ability to digest undenatured bovine collagen in vitro. The maximum activity of this enzyme takes place at pH 7 and 8.

Medicinal Uses of Collagenase:

It is used for debridement of dermal ulcers and burns and other necrotic lesions. It can be used in the form of ointment.

Medical Uses of Dextran

Dextran is a polysaccharide produced by growing bacteria on the substrate sucrose, which contains a backbone of D-glucose units linked predominantly alpha-D.

English: Chemical structure of dextran. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dextran is commercially prepared using organisms like Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Leuconostoc dextranicum. Based on the method of preparation, various grades of dexrans are produced. Dextrans are soluble in water and insoluble in alcohol. The molecular weight of dextrans range from 40000 to 75000. All dextrans contain alpha-D-glucopyranosyl units.

Medicinal Uses of Dextran:

Dextran is used as a plasma volume expander. Dextran-40 is used as a blood flow adjuvant.