Fibrolytic
Fibrolytic refers to something that breaks down or dissolves fibrous tissue. This term is most commonly encountered in a biological and medical context. For example, fibrolytic enzymes are proteins that can degrade collagen and other fibrous components of connective tissues. These enzymes play a role in various physiological processes, including wound healing, tissue remodeling, and the immune response. In some pathological conditions, excessive or abnormal fibrous tissue buildup, known as fibrosis, can occur. Fibrolytic agents or therapies are sometimes investigated or used to treat such conditions by helping to break down this excess fibrous material. The effectiveness and specific applications of fibrolytic approaches are areas of ongoing research in fields like medicine and biotechnology.