title: Enhancement of re-epithelialization with topical zinc oxide in porcine partial-thickness wounds.
abstract: We investigated the effect of locally applied zinc on the healing of partial-thickness skin wounds in the domestic pig using two zinc compounds (zinc oxide and zinc sulfate) in two different vehicles (a gauze compress and a collagen sponge). The rate of re-epithelialization was determined morphometrically 48 and 64 hr after infliction of standardized square wounds (4.8 cm2 and 400-microns deep) with an electrokeratome. Zinc oxide in gauze significantly (P less than 0.05) increased re-epithelialization of the wounds (33% more epithelialized than control wounds after 64 hr) and in collagen sponge (76% more epithelialized than control wounds after 64 hr). Zinc sulfate had no such stimulatory effect at any dosage or vehicle used. Our results show that topical zinc oxide enhances re-epithelialization of partial-thickness wounds in nutritionally balanced pigs and that the mode of delivery of zinc is probably critical for achieving the beneficial healing effect of zinc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Agren
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chvapil
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Franzén
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001458:Bandages; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D011205:Povidone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013431:Sulfates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013552:Swine; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019287:Zinc Sulfate
chemical_list: D013431:Sulfates; D019287:Zinc Sulfate; D011205:Povidone; D015032:Zinc