BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Are a family of enzymes that degrade hyaluronic acid.

CLINICAL USE

Used in ophthalmic surgery, in which it is used in combination with local anesthetics.

It also increases the absorption rate of parenteral fluids given by hypodermoclysis, and is an adjunct in subcutaneous urography for improving resorption of radiopaque agents

Hyalurodinase is also used for extravasations of hyperosmolar solutions.

MODE OF ACTION

By catalyzing the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid i.e. it catalyzes the random hydrolysis of 1,4-linkages between 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-b-D-glucose and D-glucose residues in hyaluronate which is a major constituent of the interstitial barrier, hyaluronidase lowers the viscosity of hyaluronic acid, thereby increasing tissue permeability. It is, therefore, used in medicine in conjunction with other drugs in order to speed their dispersion and delivery.

STRUCTURE