The potential of collagenase as a new therapy for separation of human retained placenta: hydrolytic potency on human, equine and bovine placentae.

The study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of bacterial collagenase as a potential treatment for retained placenta in humans, as well as in horses and cows. The researchers found that bacterial collagenase was highly effective in breaking down human placenta collagen and, therefore, could be used to detach retained placenta.

Research Objectives and Methodology

• The main objective of the study was to examine the effectiveness of bacterial collagenase in breaking down human placentae as compared to equine and bovine placentae.
• An experimental process was set up where placenta samples from these three species were incubated with bacterial collagenase solution at various concentrations and the resultant hydrolysis measured chemically.
• The degree of hydrolysis was determined by measuring the release of total proteins and hydroxyproline into the incubation media.
• In addition, whole placentae were also subjected to injections via umbilical cord arteries with a collagenase solution and the effects on hydrolysis were recorded.

Key Findings

• The research discovered that the collagens of human and equine placental tissues were highly sensitive to collagenase digestion.
• Based on the release of hydroxyproline, it was noted that collagenase activity on human placenta was 1.6 times greater and three times greater on equine placenta than on bovine placenta.
• The study also highlights that the breakdown of non-collagenous proteins remained minor, indicating that the collagenase selectively targeted collagen.
• The results also showed that when the enzyme was injected into the whole placenta, it evenly digested the placental tissue within 6-12 hours resulting in liquefaction at 24 hours, although umbilical blood vessels withstood the collagenase digestion.

Implications and Conclusion

• The research suggests that bacterial collagenase could potentially be used as a new treatment for retained placenta in humans, given its effectiveness in breaking down human placenta collagen.
• Intraplacental injections of collagenase via the umbilical cord arteries could potentially assist in detaching retained placenta in women, similar to its proven use in mares and cows.
• Despite its effectiveness, the study also notes that umbilical blood vessels resisted the digestive effects of collagenase, an observation that might need further study to understand its implications fully.