[en] The radioenzymatic assay method for tissue collagenase, a metalloproteinase, activity in matrix was established. The matrix collagenase is the most vital catabolic enzyme of collagen in tissue. It mainly acts on type- I, II, III matrix collagen and is also called matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMPs-1). The assay method for the matrix collagenase was as follows: After type-I collagen was prepared from calf skin and identified with HPLC, it was marked with ³H-acetic anhydride as the substrate. Then a series of assays were performed in animal experiments and human cases, which showed that the matrix collagenase (MMPs-1) activity assay is feasible and gives reliable results in clinical biochemistry study