[The clinical and experimental study on postburn metabolic characteristics of zinc and its influence on copper, iron and calcium]

Abstract

Objective: To observe postburn metabolic characteristics of zinc and its influence on copper, iron, calcium.

Methods: (1) To analyze the levels of Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca in the serum and urine of burn patient on different postburn days. (2) To replicate a rat model of zinc deficiency and to observe the symptoms and the effects of zinc supplementation in different dosage after scalding in rats with zinc deficiency. (3) To assay the levels of Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca in rat wound tissues following supplementation of zinc in diet and to wounds in rats after scald.

Results: (1) The levels of serum Zn and Cu decreased markedly on 1 similar 3 days in major burn patients, whereas the urine Zn and Cu increased obviously, reaching the peak value on the 14th day. The serum and urine Fe increased rapidly on PBD2 and then descended steeply. The serum and urine Ca kept lower levels all along. (2) In zinc deficient rats growth retardation appeared first and other symptoms emerged subsequently. Serum Zn decreased and serum Cu, Fe, Ca increased. (3) The levels of Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca in wound tissue of scalded rats showed a continuous postburn increase. The Ca contents in wound tissue increased about 50 -- fold. Zn content in wound was more obviously increased than Cu, Fe and Ca when Zn was supplemented through wound compared with that with diet supplementation.

Conclusion: Serum Zn level was lowered after scald and it could be elevated after supplementing zinc by diet or through wound, Changes in serum Cu, Fe, Ca occurred corresponding to the change in serum Zn.