創傷時の亜鉛代謝に関する研究

Abstract

Zinc, a micronutrient essential to man, has been demonstrated to have a beneficial effect upon wound healing. In recent years, many investigators have documented that this element is essential for the function of a number of clinically important biologic enzymes, and that the activities of certain of these zinc-dependent enzymes are related during particular states of tissue destruction and repair. However, the mechanism by which zinc is involved in wound repair has not been determined. The aim of the present study was to obtain further information on this problem.In the first experiment, to clarify whether postoperative alterations of biologic zinc requirements and availabilities are affected by urinary loss of this ion, particulary in relation to tissue repair, the urinary zinc excretion and serum zinc level were measured. The results showed that urinary zinc excretion following surgical stress was significantly higher than before operation. On the other hand, the serum zinc level was not significantly affected. These experiments suggest that it is advisable to supply an adequate amount of zinc during the early postoperative period.Since it was disclosed that radio-z inc is preferentially concentrated in healing tissue, the author attempted to evaluate the effect of dietary zinc supplements (zinc sulfate) on the collagen elaboration in subcutaneously implanted polyvinyl hormal sponges (P. V. H. S. )in rats. The effect of dietary zinc sulfate on the tensile strength of sutured wounds in rats was also evaluated by tensimetric measurements.The results obtained from these experi ments disclosed that dietary supplementation of zinc sulfate resulted in an increased tissue ingrowth and collagen formation in the P. V. H. S. implants, and tensile strength was markedly increased as compared to controls.