Effects of zinc oxide in an occlusive, adhesive dressing on granulation tissue formation

The role of zinc in an occlusive, adhesive dressing (Zn-tape) was investigated in two experiments in the rat. In the first one Zn-tape was compared with a similar tape without zinc components and also with an inert plastic coated fabric with regard to the wound inflammatory reaction in excisional wounds. In the second experiment we attempted to assess possible systemic effects of zinc absorbed from Zn-tape-treated excisional wounds by studying the granulation tissue formation in subcutaneously implanted Ivalon sponges. The excisional wounds were treated with either the Zn-tape or a titanium tape in which the zinc oxide was replaced by an equivalent amount of titanium dioxide (Ti-tape). The granulation tissue produced was evaluated histologically, histochemically and biochemically. The plain adhesive mass and the Ti-tape elicited an intense inflammatory reaction as indicated both by high activities of alkaline phosphatases and histological examination. The Zn-tape reduced inflammatory processes in the granulation tissue of the excisional wounds. Zinc levels in serum and liver were raised in Zn-tape-treated animals. We conclude that zinc oxide in the Zn-tape affects inflammatory reactions in the granulation tissue of the wounds, possibly through a continuous release of zinc ions and by modifying the adhesive components of the Zn-tape. There was no evidence of a systemic effect of zinc absorbed from the excisional wounds on the granulation tissue formation in the implanted Ivalon sponges.