Cytochemical study of granulation tissue in zinc treated rats.

The effect of zinc administration on cell composition of early granulation tissue has been studied in rats using histological and cytochemical methods. Granulation tissue was obtained by subcutaneous implantation of polyvinyl sponges. The experimental group was given zinc intramuscularly daily beginning preoperatively. Zinc administration does not change the early inflammatory cell infiltration but results in a more rapid disappearance of polymorphonuclear granulocytes from the granulation tissue. No effect can be seen on the mononuclear cell population. The observations are related to alterations in repair processes following zinc administration.