Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of slow zinc (Zn) release from β-tricalcium phosphate powder (ZnTCP) containing 10 mol% Zn on rats with thermal burns.
METHODS: The first-aid tapes were contained zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) solution, ZnTCP suspensions or zinc oxide ointment. After thermal burn treatments were performed on Zn-deficient rats, the groups D1, D2 and D3 were treated with tapes containing ZnTCP, ZnSO4 and zinc oxide ointment. The effects of the tapes on wound area, plasma Zn levels and alkaline phosphatase activity (Alp) were investigated.
RESULTS: The wound area profiles of all rat groups could be separated into before and after the scab formation at around day 6. The area under the curve (Aw-AUC) for wound area profiles, therefore, was evaluated as an index of therapeutic scores for the thermal wound. The order of Aw-AUC was D3>C>D2>D1. The degree of expansion at the initial stage by thermal burns of group D1 was the lowest and that of group D2 was the highest, and the order was D1<D3<C<D2.
CONCLUSIONS: ZnTCP treatment could control the initial inflammation caused by thermal burns.