[Changes in body zinc and copper levels in severely burned patients and the effects of oral administration of ZnSO4 by a double-blind method].

The trace elements and the effect of zinc sulphate on wound healing of 46 severely burned patients in recent 2 years were studied. By double blind method 22 patients accepted capsular ZnSO4 (660 mg) per day as treated group and 24 patients medical starch as control. ZnSO4 and placebo were taken from 3rd or 5th day post burn until healing. Serum and 24h urine Zn and Cu were measured on days 3, 5, 9, 13 post burn and later weekly until healing. The changes of Zn and Cu in serum and urine in all patients were similar to the results reported by others. But the serum Zn on day 9 and urine Zn on days 5, 9, 13 post burn in treated group were significantly higher than that in control group. The basic wound healing time was same in both groups, but the patients in treated group whose coefficient UBS* (Unit of Burned Surface) was more than 180 were cured 8 days earlier than the patients of same severity in control group. At the healing the serum Zn in treated group was significantly higher than that in normal control group, while the serum Zn in control group was as same as in normal control group. The rising to normal of value of Zn/Cu in treated group was significantly earlier than that in control group. But the linear regression equations of serum Zn and Cu, urine Zn and Cu in both groups have no significant difference in the whole course of disease. No side effects of ZnSO4 have been found during the course.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)