Granulation Tissue Formation and Metabolism of Zinc and Copper in Alloxan-Diabetic Rats

Abstract

The early wound healing phases, and zinc and copper metabolism were assessed in traumatized insulin dependent diabetic rats. Granulation tissue was obtained by implanting Ivalon sponges subcutaneously and analysed on the fourth and seventh postoperative days by applying quantitative biochemical methods. The DNA content on day 4 and the amounts of RNA, hydroxyproline and hemoglobin on day 7 were significantly lower in granulation tissue from diabetic rats. The alkaline phosphatase activity, a marker for polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), was raised in the diabetic granulation tissue. The concentrations of zinc and copper were found to be increased in the kidney of diabetic rats compared with operated, non-diabetic controls. Our data suggest that the early granulation tissue formation is disturbed, with a prolonged inflammatory phase, decreased collagen formation and reduced vascularization. Zinc and copper are accumulated in the kidney of rats with uncontrolled, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

Key Words:

• alloxan-diabetes
• granulation tissue
• zinc
• copper