Zinc, wound healing

In paints, zinc oxide serves as a mildewstat and acid buffer as well as a pigment. The oxide also is a starting material for many zinc chemicals. The oxide supphes zinc in animal feeds and is a fertilizer supplement used in zinc-deficient soils. Its chemical action in cosmetics (qv) and dmgs is varied and complex but, based upon its fungicidal activity, it promotes wound healing. It is also essential in nutrition. Zinc oxide is used to prepare dental cements in combination with eugenol and phosphoric and poly(acrylic acid)s (48) (see Dental materials). 

Insufficient zinc results in slowed growth, delayed wound healing, poor appetite, mental lethargy, and sexual immaturity and it interferes with the immune response. The main function of zinc in metaboHsm is enzymatic and there is evidence of other physiologic roles, eg, in stabilization of membrane stmcture (57). 

Trace elements are essential cofactors for numerous biochemical processes. Trace elements that are added routinely to PN include zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, and chromium. There are various commercial parenteral trace element formulations that can be added to PN admixtures (e.g., MTE-5 ). Zinc is important for wound healing, and patients with high-output fistulas, diarrhea, burns, and large open wounds may require additional zinc supplementation. Patients may lose as much as 12 to 17 mg zinc per liter of gastrointestinal (GI) output (e.g., from diarrhea or enterocutaneous fistula losses) however, others have demonstrated that 12 mg/day may be adequate to maintain these patients in positive zinc balance.18 Patients with chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, and short-gut syndrome may have increased selenium losses and may require additional selenium supplementation. Patients with severe cholestasis should have copper and manganese... 

Zinc normally aids wound healing in terrestrial invertebrates. Wounding of the optic tentacle, foot tissue, and partial shell removal in Helix aspersa, a terrestrial gastropod, resulted in deposition of zinc in the wound area after 2 to 5 days. Increased zinc in Helix wound areas may be necessary to promote protein synthesis, collagen formation, and mitotic cell division (Ireland 1986). 

Ireland, M. 1986. Effects of wound healing on zinc distribution and alkaline phosphatase activity of Helix aspersa (gastropoda pulmonata). Jour. Mollus. Stud. 52 169-173. 

Treatment and prevention of zinc deficiency, wound healing PO (zinc sulfate) 220 mg 3 times a day. 

Significant differences in zinc content occur in potatoes. The zinc content ranges Ifom 1.8 to 10.2 p,g/g FW (Andre et al., 2007 Randhawa et al, 1984 Rivero et al., 2003). Yellow-fleshed potatoes from different cultivars contain zinc in 0.5-4.6 p,g/g FW (Dugo et al., 2004). Zinc is needed for the body s immune system to properly work and is involved in cell division, cell growth, and wound healing. The US RDA is 15-20 mg. 

Insufficient zinc intake is another possible side effect of diuretic use. Individuals with zinc deficiency may experience hair loss, problems with night vision, slow wound healing, dermatitis, and a predisposition to infection and illness due to lowered immune function. 

Toxicity Zinc and its compounds are relatively nontoxic, but very large doses can produce acute gastroenteritis characterized by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for zinc is 15 mg/day for men, 12 mg/day for women, 10 mg/day for children, and 5 mg/day for infants. Not enough zinc in the diet can result in a loss of appetite, a decreased sense of taste and smell, skin sores and slow wound healing, or a damaged immune system. 

Use and exposure Zinc is available as a silver or bluish-white foil or powder. It is incompatible with amines, cadmium, sulfur, chlorinated solvents, strong acids, and strong bases. The important use of zinc is to coat iron or steel in a process called galvanization to prevent rust. Zinc powder is very flammable. Zinc is another essential micronutrient that is important in immunity and antioxidation. Zinc is an essential mineral that is found in almost every cell function. It stimulates the activity of approximately 100 enzymes, which are substances that promote biochemical reactions in the body. Zinc supports a healthy immune system that the body requires for wound healing. It helps to maintain a sense of taste and smell and is needed for DNA synthesis. Zinc supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence. ... 

Wound healing effect of carnosine is potentiated by zinc [35,91]. Its mechanism probably related to ability of carnosine to support functional activity of lymphocytes [61], to reveal the immunomodulating activity depending on age of animals and concentration of carnosine [86,92], to neutralize ROS formed in the inflammatory area. In some cases, increased formation of granulating tissues was noted which stimulated healing of damaged surface because of protein synthesis activation [86,88]. 

A variety of s3nnptoms, not mentioned earlier, have also been associated with zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency is thought to delay wound healing, impair the senses of taste and smell, and impair the functions of the immune system. (The impaired sense of taste is called hypogeusia.) Severe zinc deficiency results in impairment of the immune system and increased infections. These problems have been foimd in the severe deficiencies that occur in starvation (marasmus) and acrodermatitis enteropathica and in studies with animals. The immune system involves a large array of hormones, hormone receptor proteins, signaling proteins, and DNA-binding proteins, some of which require zinc for activity. It is not clear which of these components is most sensitive to zinc deficiency. 

Wound Healing in Man with Zinc Sulfate Given by Mouth, Lancet (1967) 1, 121. 

Prasad, A. S., "Effect of Zinc Deficiency on Wound Healing in Rats, Am.J. Surg. (1971) 121,566. 

Elias, S., Chvapil, M., "Zinc and Wound Healing in Normal and Chroni-... 

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