Zinc concentration in normal and healing gingival tissues in beagle dogs

Previous studies have shown that the administration of zinc (Zn) may enhance the healing of gingival and other wounds. This study was undertaken to determine if Zn concentration ([Zn]) is increased in healing gingival tissues and if oral supplementation of Zn would result in a local increase in [Zn] within these tissues. On Day 0, biopsies were obtained from the maxillary left buccal gingiva of each of 10 beagle dogs. Gingival biopsies were taken from the healing original biopsy sites on Day 14. On Day 15, oral supplementation of Zn gluconate (250 mg/day, equivalent to 32.5 mg of elemental Zn) was begun in seven dogs. Three dogs remained as unsupplemented controls. Two weeks later (Day 28), normal gingival biopsies were obtained from the right side of the maxilla and on Day 42 final biopsies were taken from the same healing sites. In addition, serum samples were obtained on Days 0, 14, 28 and 42. All samples were analyzed for Zn content using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The [Zn] of healing tissues was significantly higher (P less than 0.0005) than normal tissues. This was also true when healing tissues were compared to normal tissues during the Zn supplementation phase (Day 28 vs. Day 42; P less than 0.005). Zn supplementation resulted in significant increases in Zn levels in normal (Day 0 vs. Day 28; P less than 0.05) and healing tissues (Day 14 vs. Day 42; P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)