[Proteolytic enzymes and their inhibitors in the tears in inflammatory corneal diseases of burn origin].

Trypsin- and elastase-like proteinase activities, antitryptic activity, and alpha 2-macroglobulin level were measured in the lacrimal fluid of rabbits after dosed alkaline burn of the cornea over the course of burn process. In 8% of animals deep ulcers and perforations of the cornea developed within the first two weeks after the injury. In the rest animals corneal ulceration attained its maximum on day 21, and they constituted two groups, equal in number, with ulceration of the superficial and medium layers of corneal stroma (group 1) and with deep ulcers and perforations (group 2). Proteolytic enzymes were undetectable in the lacrimal fluid of 8% of rabbits with the most grave course of the disease both before and after the burn. In group 1 trypsin-like activity was lowered both before and after burn, antitryptic activity higher and alpha 2-macroglobulin level lower that in group 2. The authors come to a conclusion that trypsin-like and antitryptic activities and alpha 2-macroglobulin level in the lacrimal fluid are objective characteristics permitting a prediction of the inflammatory process course in the cornea and helping determine the necessity and trend of proteolysis correction.