Failure of proteolytic enzymes to suppress post-traumatic inflammation. Double-blind control comparison on identical twins, after dermal abrasion.

Controlled reports on the successful use of proteolytic enzymes to suppress post-traumatic inflammatory response have been based on animal subjects that were given the drug before inflammation was provoked and in the equivalent of 10 to 1,000 times maximum human dosage. All previous favorable reports on human subjects were based on uncontrolled experiments. In the present study, the first controlled human experiment, identical twins were identically treated with dermal abrasion of the face, to remove deep acne scarring. Using double-blind technique, one of them received "inert" parenteral and buccal vitamin medication. The other received maximum recommended therapeutic dosage of three proteolytic enzymes-streptokinase and streptodornase buccal tablets, and intramuscular trypsin. No differences in edema, inflammatory response, pain or speed of healing were noted.