Granulation tissue formation in zinc-treated rats.

Chronic zinc deficiency impairs would healing. It is not known if acute decrease of werum zinc ocdurring after trauma has the same negative effect. We have studied the effect of extra zinc supply in connection with trauma on granulation tissue formation in subcutaneously implanted polyvinyl sponges. Zinc given postoperatively had no effect on granulation tissue formation. Zinc administered also preoperatively resulted in higher amount of collagen by the fourth postoperative day but not later. This effect of zinc on the collagen content can be explained either by an increased collagen synthesis or by decreased collagen break down. The fact that zinc had no effect when given only postoperatively indicates that collagen synthesis is not affected. The demonstrated effect of zinc thus seems to be due to decreased collagen break down.