[Comparative characteristics of the activity of proteolytic enzymes and their inhibitors in the lung tissue of guinea pigs during development of generalized and destructive tuberculosis].

Two series of experiments were carried out using 66 guinea pigs infected with tuberculosis. In the first experiment generalized tuberculosis was stimulated by means of subcutaneous administration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37RV strain at a dose of 0.0001 mg. In the second experiment destructive form of tuberculosis was developed after intrapulmonary administration of the bacteria (1 mg) followed by VCG vaccination. In both experiments the animals were divided into groups with spontaneous form of the infection and the group of animals treated with rifamycin and isoniazid. Total protein, elastolytic activity, cathepsins B and D, free antitryptic activity were estimated in lung homogenates. Generalized and destructive forms of tuberculosis were shown to induce an increase in content of soluble protein as well as in cathepsin D, elastolytic and antitryptic activities in tissues. Destructive form of tuberculosis was characterized by more than 4-fold increase in elastolytic activity and by a distinct activation of cathepsin B. The antibacterial drugs used affected only slightly the biochemical patterns studied in lung tissue.