Enzymatic penetration through intact sulcular epithelium.

To explore possible enzymatic penetration through intact sulcular epithelium tritium labeled hyaluronidase and collagenase were applied to the gingival sulcus of five white lip marmosets. One quadrant per monkey remained untreated. Each remaining quadrant was randomly assigned to one of the following modalities of application: (a) tritiated hyaluronidase, (b) tritiated collagenase, (c) unlabeled hyaluronidase followed by tritiated collagenase, (d) inactivated tritiated hyaluronidase, or (e) normal saline as experimental controls. The enzymes were applied by means of a Pasteur disposable pipette. Eight drops were administered over a 4-minute period, one every 30 seconds. After a 5-minute waiting period a second series of eight applications was given over a 4-minute period. Radioautographic and standard histologic materials were obtained. Results suggest that: 1. Hyaluronidase has the ability to penetrate through intact nonkeratinized sulcular epithelium, widening the intercellular epithelial spaces and disorganizing the connective tissue ground substance. 2. Collagenase per se does not have the ability to penetrate through the intact sulcular epithelium. Its effect remains confined only to the superficial layers of the epithelium. 3. However, when collagenase application is preceded by hyaluronidase, collagenase spreads easily through the epithelium and deeply into the connective tissue. Hyaluronidase acts unquestionably as a spreading factors.