Acetic acid-soluble collagen in human scars

Collagenolysis: The other side of the equation

“…The most logical hypothesis has been that collagen digestion occurs, but until recently it has not been possible to identify, isolate, or even characterize an enzyme in mammals that could digest collagen fibers. The situation became even more frustrating when it was discovered that normal skin always contains soluble collagen, and that scar tissue for many years has a higher concentration of soluble collagen than unwounded tissue [1]. Clearly, all of the soluble collagen in skin and scar tissue could not be the result of synthesis, Reprint requests: Erie E. Peacock, Jr., M.D., Department of Surgery, Tulane University Medical School, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.…”