The effects of zinc supplements on contents of zinc, copper in serum and organs in zinc deficient scalded rats

Objective: Major burns often induce zinc deficient status. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether excessive store of zinc or metabolic disturbance of copper will be induced because of large supplements of zinc after major burns. Methods: Artificial semi-synthetic diets with different zinc contents were made. Three groups of rats were give zinc deficient diet to induce zinc deficient status then 20% TBSA second degree scalds were made. Then the rats were divided into three groups pair-fed chows different in zinc concentration. Zinc contents were 1. 6 μg/g, 24. 7 μg/g, 286. 9 μg/g respectively. A group of rats fed normal zinc content （24. 7 μg/g） diets before and after scalds was designed as control. The contents of Zn and Cu in serum, liver, kidney, spleen and testicle were analyzed. Results: Zinc contents in these organs were improved markedly but excessive store of zinc resulted from large supplements of zinc were not found. The contents of copper were improved markedly in serum and kidney too because of zinc supplements. Conclusion: In zinc deficient status after severe burns, increasing the supplements of zinc moderately in a short time do not result to excessive store of zinc nor metabolic disturbance of copper.