Proteolytic Enzymes May Accelerate Healing

DALLAS--Supplementation with proteolytic enzymes, which break down proteins, may modulate the inflammatory cycle and up-regulate the healing process, according to a study published in the July issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (114, 1:237-244, 2004) (www.plasreconsurg.com).

The randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 26 healthy subjects over two 21-day phases. In the first phase, subjects were given 3-mm forearm skin biopsies and randomly administered four capsules of placebo or oral supplement (as InflammEnz--a proprietary blend of proteolytic enzymes, bromelain, grape seed extract, rutin, calcium, potassium and vitamin C--supplied by Parkville, Mo.-based Enzymes Inc.) for seven days. In the second phase of the trial, which took place following a two-week washout period, subjects were again biopsied and given the opposite treatment administered in the first phase of the trial. The subjects wounds were analyzed for surface area (in square millimeters) and perimeter (in millimeters), using digital photographs. Twenty-two subjects completed the trial. On the basis of wound surface areas, 17 subjects experienced enhanced wound healing and five subjects were not affected or minimally affected by the supplement treatment. In addition, subjects responding to oral supplements healed three days sooner than the placebo group, representing a 17-percent acceleration of wound-healing time. In subjects responding to oral supplements, the researchers observed decreased redness in the wounds, which may have been associated with reduced inflammation. The researchers concluded InflammEnz oral supplementation accelerated soft-tissue wound healing in 77 percent of normal, healthy subjects studied. The researchers also noted the study validates observations that InflammEnz modulates the wound-healing process and may be beneficial to patients with minor soft-tissue wounds.