[Correlation of changes in serum zinc with serum proteins and alkaline phosphatase in rabbits with burns]

We report herein the correlation of changes in serum zinc with serum proteins, serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity and body weight in 15% TBSA I. burned rabbits. Serum zinc concentration reduced immediately from 181.4 to 112.4 micrograms/dl, then gradually increased and finally approached normal on 15 postburn day. Similar changes were found in serum AKP activity. AKP activity in the burned group was much lower than that in the control group. Total serum protein and albumin contents were significantly reduced and was not recovered to normal levels on 15 postburn day. Serum albumin/globulin decreased but without a turnover. Body weight dropped to a minimum on 9 postburn day and was recovered on 15 postburn day. These results reveal a correlation of serum zinc concentration with serum protein, suggesting that zinc is closely related to protein synthesis. We conclude that serum AKP activity could be used as a diagnostic criterion of postburn hypozincemia as well as an index to assess the effectiveness of supplemental zinc in burns.