SERUM-ZINC AND HEALING OF VENOUS LEG ULCERS

Abstract

In a double-blind trial in twenty-seven patients, the healing of chronic venous leg ulcers was investigated with respect to the serum-zinc level and to the effect of an effervescent preparation of oral zinc sulphate or placebo. Ulcers in patients with a serum-zinc level higher than 110 μg. per 100 ml. initially, or after oral zinc sulphate 200 mg. three times a day, healed significantly faster than did those in patients with a low serum-zinc level. No hæmatological or biochemical evidence of toxicity was found during 4 months of zinc administration.