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Zinc Concentration in Normal and Healing Gingival Tissues in Beagle Dogs
Author(s) -
Williamson Carol E.,
Yukna Raymond A.,
Gandor Daniel W.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.1984.55.3.170
Subject(s) - beagle , dentistry , medicine , zinc , gingival and periodontal pocket , periodontal disease , chemistry , organic chemistry
P revious 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 < 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 < 0.005). Zn supplementation resulted in significant increases in Zn levels in normal (Day 0 vs. Day 28; P < 0.05) and healing tissues (Day 14 vs. Day 42; P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum [Zn] except on Day 14. It was concluded that [Zn] is significantly increased in healing vs. normal gingiva, that Zn supplementation results in an even higher [Zn] in healing tissues and that such supplementation also increases the [Zn] in normal tissue. These findings may be clinically significant in periodontal and other oral wound healing.