The Effect of Zinc on Post-neurosurgical Wound Healing: A Review

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore neurosurgeons' knowledge and understanding of the physiology of zinc and provide current information about the role zinc plays in post-neurological wound healing. We review several medical journals and bring together the most updated information related to lesion-healing after surgery.

Introduction and background

Monitoring and treating wounds in the post-neurosurgical procedure is crucial due to the high cost of treatment to the healthcare system in the US. Post-neurological wound-healing process could be complicated and complex due to the prevalence of deficiencies in anti-oxidants, trace minerals, vitamins, and micro-elements in patients [1].

Post-neurosurgical wound-healing involves a multilayered procedure administered by chronological steps plus inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling phases [2]. During the post-neurosurgical procedure, there is an exposure of the skull, dura mater, pia, arachnoid villi, sub-endothelium, and collagen. Collagen and material factors do trigger aggregation of the platelet, which results in chemokines release and endothelial developmental features to form fibrin lumping [3]. Neutrophil initially appears at the site of injury. It gets marginalized from the center of blood flow to the periphery. Neutrophil cleans debris and bacteria and provides good homeostasis for wound healing. Macrophage phagocytoses the bacteria and damaged tissue [4]. The inflammation phase does not usually exceed 96 hours.

The accretion of cells and tissues is considered to be the common factor that characterizes the proliferative stage. The post-neurosurgical wound at this phase includes keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. A granulation tissue is formed, which is composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) and which replaces the fibrin clot. The ECM is formed from collagen, elastin, and proteoglycans [5]. There are many developmental factors and cytokines that participate in this phase, converting development factor-beta, vascular endothelial factor developmental, and interleukins (IL), which facilitates the angiogenesis process. This phase continues until the sixth week [6].

The makeover phase is the last stage in post-neurosurgical wound healing. It requires a good balance between the creation of new cells and apoptosis. Immature type III collagen, gradual degradation of ECM, and developed type I collagen are dangerous in this stage, which lasts for a considerably longer time [6,7]. Any deficiency in anti-oxidants, trace minerals, vitamins, and microelements impairs the lesion-healing process at this stage. While there have been a few comprehensive studies on monitoring and treatment of post-neurosurgical wound healing, this study aims to focus on the process of post-neurosurgical wound healing, monitoring, and how deficiencies in vitamins, antioxidants, trace minerals, and micronutrients play a vital role in compounding the problem. A huge part of this article will be dedicated to the role vitamins, anti-oxidants, trace nutrients, and micronutrients play in post-neurosurgical wound healing.

Review

Our research methods involved reviewing and analyzing information available in medical journals about wound healing. The information gathered from healthcare journals was sorted out to develop a proper understanding of wound healing, including pathophysiology, biochemistry, and scientific analysis of wound healing. We hope to fill some of the gaps that exist in our understanding of wound healing and identify and address more gaps.

Our review and analysis of the journals have led us to conclude that deficiency of zinc is a prominent factor in delayed wound healing after neurological surgery [8]. We have sought to emphasize that many post-surgical wounds are not healing promptly due to zinc deficiency. Neurosurgeons around the world do not fully understand the wound-healing process and it has been neglected for far too long. Several published studies have clearly illustrated that zinc is a vital micronutrient for post-neurosurgical wound healing. 

The pathophysiology of zinc in wound healing

The essential micronutrient zinc plays a major role in wound healing. The human body contains less than 50 mg/kg of zinc. It is a key factor related to immune function, central nervous system, wound healing, and bone metabolism [8]. Zinc accounts for over 10% of DNA programmed by the human genome (~3,000 DNA/enzyme). Zinc-dependent DNA aids in gene transcription regulation, DNA repair, cell death, physiological processes, extracellular regulation, and antioxidant defense [9-13].

Zinc, a trace mineral, is found to be in low concentration in tissues and across cell membranes in post-neurosurgical wound-healing patients [8]. As such, zinc is firmly regulated through gene transcription rule, ion carriers, cellular homeostasis, and extracellular supplies [14]. During physiological processes, there is a small quantity of zinc in extracellular vesicles. The zinc transporter protein (ZIP) usually takes up zinc in intracellular vesicles [15,16]. Free zinc ions are found in the cytosol and have been identified as secondary messengers that are capable of targeting proteins to regulate numerous chemical and physiological pathways. Therefore, the availability of zinc and its regulation are essential components of cellular physiology [17,18]. The mechanism of action of zinc in wound healing is illustrated below (Figure 1).

Figure 1. The mechanism of zinc in wound healing.

Zn: zinc; MG53: Mitsugumin 53

Zinc deficiency is common in daily food intake. Dietary zinc is kept in human allium by a carrier-mediated process. The majority of zink found within the human body is in skeletal muscle (62%), followed by bone (29%), skin and liver (5%), and various other organs (2-3%) [19]. Due to the multilayered nature of zinc in our diets, the effects are extensive and involve several organ arrangements and matters. Globally, research dating back to 1970 has shown that zinc is a “common plight” to tissues [20]. Malnutrition is a known cause of zinc deficiency, and this has led to dietary problems that can manifest clinically as gastrointestinal (GI) malabsorption syndrome, liver and renal diseases, aging, immune dysfunction, mental and growth retardation, hypogonadism, and impaired healing of wounds [21-28]. Zinc shortage has been blamed for delays in wound healing [29,30]. Zinc deficiency plays a role in inflammation, mainly by elevating inflammatory response as well as causing damage to host tissue [31]. Zinc supplements have been given to post-neurosurgical and severely ill patients, patients with severe burn injury, hypodermic sore, insignificant surgery, and pressure ulcer [32-38]. Table 1 lays out statistical data, which have been discussed in other research studies, about the role zinc plays in wound healing.

Table 1. Studies that discuss zinc's role in wound healing.

Number of studies	Author name	Year of publication	Country of origin of study	Findings
1	Cereda E, et al. [39]	2009	Italy	There was a significant reduction in the size of ulcers after 84 days of supplementation of zinc, arginine, anti-oxidants, and high protein formula ( 8-20mg zinc daily).
6	Wilkinson EA, et al. [9]	2012	UK	Zinc oxide paste-medicated dressing with a concentration between 6-15% for chronic venous leg ulcer improved wound healing.
1	Sakae K, et al. [40]	2013	Japan	A study of 42 patients with ulcers treated with zinc-containing polaprezinc versus oral L-carnosine (at 34 mg per day) showed no difference in healing.
1	Attia EA, et al. [10]	2014	Egypt	Ninety non-diabetics patients with uncomplicated wounds treated with 0.2 mg/100 mL per 10cm2 of zinc chloride solution reported significant improvement in wound healing.

The biochemistry of zinc in wound healing

Tripartite motif family (TRIM) proteins and an N-terminal ring zinc finger domain play important biochemical roles in regulating biochemical processes associated with wound healing and normal physiological processes. TRIM protein, Mitsugumin 53, and TRIM72 are implicated in tissue repair after injury. Vascular endothelial and transforming growth factors facilitate wound healing, and these growth factors require zinc for normal physiological functions [41,42]. The significant development of homeostasis is rapidly achieved when micronutrients are in the right proportions in the serum.

Economic implications

When wounds do not heal promptly, there is an increase in hospital visits; and it increases the burden on our healthcare insurance industry. Many patients become devastated and it affects their quality of life and economic prospects. Increased awareness about zinc supplements' ability to help heal wounds faster will expedite the treatment process and help reduce the occurrence of hospital visits after neurosurgical procedures.

Clinical implications

There is substantial evidence that without zinc a post-neurosurgical wound will take more time to heal. This touches on the value we place on ensuring patients a decent quality of life after surgery. Non-usage of zinc increases patient visits to the clinic and may lead to financial and mental distress. It will be beneficial for neurosurgeons to check the levels of antioxidants and zinc before surgery to help curb hospital re-admissions.

Scientific analysis

Of the many studies read, reviewed, and analyzed, the article by Pei-Hui Lin et al was a prominent source of reliable information because it presented detailed facts and scientific evidence to substantiate that zinc is critical to wound healing [8]. Neurosurgeons should be encouraged to use topical zinc ointment more often to help wounds heal faster.

Unanswered questions

Despite overwhelming evidence that delays in wound healing can be prominently caused by trace elements like zinc, other anti-oxidants like Vitamin A, C, and E have been implicated as well [43-46]. Many issues still remain unaddressed pertaining to the subject under review, such as the prevalence of inordinate delay in wound healing and the absence of reliable data on the economic burden it places on society in general and insurance industry in particular. There is insufficient scientific and statistical data involving the general population and sample size with regard to the role zinc plays in wound healing.

Conclusions

Delayed wound healing after surgery has been the frontline worry for neurosurgeons in recent times. Whiles other anti-oxidants and trace elements like zinc are heavily implicated, zinc supplementation has proven to be an overwhelming success in managing this condition. Further studies are needed under rigorous conditions to substantiate the role zinc plays in wound healing after neurosurgical procedures.

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