hyaluronidase

hy·a·lu·ron·i·dase   (hī'ə-lŏŏ-rŏn'ĭ-dās', -dāz')    n.  An enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of hyaluronic acid in the body, thereby increasing tissue permeability to fluids. Also called spreading factor.

Main Entry: hy·al·uron·i·dase
Pronunciation: -'rän-&-"dAs, -"dAz
Function: noun
: a mucolytic enzyme that splits andlowers the viscosity of hyaluronic acid facilitating the spreading of fluid through tissues either advantageously (as in the absorption of drugs) or disadvantageously (as in the dissemination ofinfection), that occurs in many normal tissues, in malignant growths, in invasive bacteria, and in certain venoms, and that is used especially to aid in the dispersion of fluids (as local anesthetics)injected subcutaneously for therapeutic purposes called also spreading factor

hyaluronidase hy·a·lu·ron·i·dase (hī'ə-l&oobreve;-rŏn'ĭ-dās', -dāz')
n.
Any of three enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid, thus increasing tissue permeability to fluids. One or more of these enzymes occur in the testes and in spermatozoa.

hyaluronidase

any of a group of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis (chemical decomposition involving the elements of water) of certain complex carbohydrates such as hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfates. The enzymes have been found in insects, leeches, snake venom, mammalian tissues (testis being the richest mammalian source), and in bacteria.

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