Unfavourable effects of hypothyroidism and zinc deficiency on wound healing
are well known. This experimental study was conducted on rats to evaluate
the effects of hormone replacement and zinc supplement on wound healing. A
total of 50 rats were divided into 5 groups of 10 rats as follows: Control
group (A), a hypothyroidism group (B), a L-thyroxine receiving hypothyroidi
sm group (C), a zinc receiving hypothyroidism group (D), and a L-thyroxine
plus zinc receiving hypothyroidism group (E). In order to develop hypothyro
idism, 5-propyl 2-thiouracil had been given intraperitoneally for a period
of 21 days to all groups except the control group. A laparotomy with a 4 cm
median incision was performed in all rats. The first half of the rats was
sacrificed on the 7(th) day and the remaining on the 14(th) day. Breaking s
trength, hydroxyproline concentrations in the healing scar tissue and blood
serum zinc levels were measured. Although both values - breaking strength
and hydroxyproline levels -, compared to all others, were found to be highe
r in the L-thyroxine plus zinc receiving group (group E) on the 7(th) day,
differences among the groups were not statistically significant. However, o
n the 14(th) day, these differences were found to be significant. We conclu
de that the hormone replacement therapy in hypothyroidism cases was benefic
ial with regard to wound healing and the results were more satisfactory if
zinc was added to the therapy.