Evaluation of a rapid, sensitive and specific assay for the determination of collagenolytic activity in biological samples.

Several methods for the determination of collagenolytic activity were compared from the point of view of sensitivity, selectivity, simplicity and practical value for large numbers of biological samples. A labelled collagen substrate was prepared using [3H]acetic anhydride. The specificity of the assay as well as conditions allowing an optimum detection limit were investigated. The influence of low temperatures, lyophilisation and salt concentration on Clostridium histolyticum collagenase have been investigated.