The effect of zinc tape upon wound healing. A biochemical, histochemical and histological study in rats.

The healing of excisional wounds in rats, which were treated with zinc tape, gauze sponge or porcine skin, was studied. Wound closure was completed earlier in zinc-tape-treated wounds than in wounds treated with a gauze sponge or porcine skin. Wound contraction was more pronounced in gauze- and porcine skin-treated wounds than in zinc-tape-treated wounds. More foreign body giant cells were seen 14 days after operation in gauze-treated contra zinc tape-treated wounds, whereas hydroxyproline concentration was higher in tape-treated wounds. Histochemically the acid phosphatase activity was pronounced in macrophages, foreign body giant cells and fibroblasts. The alkaline phosphatase activity was pronounced in granulocytes and fibroblasts. Quantitatively a reduction in alkaline phosphatase activity was seen in gauze-treated wounds from 7 to 14 days. A decrease was seen in albumin concentration in gauze- as well as zinc-tape-treated animals which was most pronounced after 7 days in the gauze-treated animals.