Long term outcomes of one-stage augmentation anterior urethroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective is to summarize and characterize the long-term success of anterior augmentation urethroplasty in published series. The current literature on AU consists largely of retrospective series reporting intermediate follow-up and incompletely characterize the long term outcomes of AU. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review was performed consistent with PRISMA guidelines to characterize long-term outcomes of AU with a minimum upper limit follow-up of 100 months. Penile/preputial skin flaps and graft and oral mucosal graft urethroplasties were included. The primary outcome was stricture-free survival for one-stage AU. Secondary analysis evaluated differences in outcomes based on two failure definitions: the need for intervention versus presence of recurrent stricture on cystoscopy or urethrography. Hazard rates were induced from the reported failure rates of one-stage AU and fixed and random effect models were fitted to the data. Additional subset analysis, removing potential confounders (lichen sclerosus, hypospadias and penile skin graft), was performed. Results: Ten studies met inclusion criteria, and two studies reported separate outcomes for grafts and flaps, and thus were included separately in the analysis. The mean hazard rate across all studies was 0.0044, the corresponding survival rates at 1 year 0.948, 5 years 0.766, 10 years 0.587, and 15 years 0.45. Subset analysis of the 4 select and homogeneous studies noted 1, 5, 10, and 15 years survival rates of 0.97, 0.96, 0.74, and 0.63, respectively. Conclusions: The long-term success rates of augmentation urethroplasty are appear to be worse than previously appreciated and patients should be counseled accordingly.

14-Deoxygarcinol, a polyisoprenylated benzophenone from Garcinia cambogia, ameliorates inflammatory responses in adipose tissue via suppressing NLRP 3 inflammasome / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE Interleukin (IL)-1β, one of the principal inflammatory cytokines mainly secreted by mono?cytes and macrophages, is produced by cleavage of the inactive pro-IL-1βprecursor by caspase-1 via the NLRP3 inflam?masome complex. The fruits of Garcinia cambogia (Clusiaceae) are widely developed as health products for anti-obese purpose. 14-deoxygarcinol (DOG) is a polyisoprenylated benzophenone from the fruits of G. cambogia, which showed potent anti-inflammatory effect in our previous study. The objective of this study was to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of DOG and its roles in alleviating adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. METHODS The anti-inflammatory effect of DOG was evaluated on LPS plus nigericin-induced THP-1 macrophages. The expression of NLRP3 inflammasome complex proteins was analyzed by Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining and co-immu?noprecipitation. The pro-inflammatory cytokines levels were determined by ELISA kits. RESULTS DOG increased the expression of Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) deacetylase and enhanced its deacetylating activity to suppress the NLRP3 inflamma?some activation and IL-1βsecretion in THP-1 macrophages. Moreover, DOG attenuated macrophage conditioned medium-induced inflammatory responses in adipocytes and blocked THP-1 macrophages migration towards 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CONCLUSION DOG attenuated the inflammatory crosstalk between macrophages and adipocytes through SIRT2-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition, which might be used for the treatment of adipose tissue inflammation-related metabolic disorders.

Honokiol: A naturally occurring lignan with pleiotropic bioactivities / 中国天然药物

Honokiol is the dominant biphenolic compound isolated from the Magnolia tree, and has long been considered as the active constituent of the traditional Chinese herb, 'Houpo', which is widely used to treat symptoms due to 'stagnation of qi'. Pharmacological studies have shown that honokiol possesses a wide range of bioactivities without obvious toxicity. Honokiol protects the liver, kidneys, nervous system, and cardiovascular system through reducing oxidative stress and relieving inflammation. Moreover, honokiol shows anti-diabetic property through enhancing insulin sensitivity, and anti-obese property through promoting browning of adipocytes. In vivo and in vitro studies indicated that honokiol functions as an anti-cancer agent through multiple mechanisms: inhibiting angiogenesis, promoting cell apoptosis, and regulating cell cycle. A variety of therapeutic effects of honokiol may be associated with its physiochemical properties, which make honokiol readily cross the blood brain barrier and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, with high bioavailability. In the future, more clinical researches on honokiol are needed to fully authenticate its therapeutic values.

Effect of Er:YAG laser combined with ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid on three-walled periodontal intrabony defects adjacent to implant sites / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the clinical effect of Er:YAG laser combined with ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) on three-walled periodontal intrabony defects adjacent to implant sites.@*METHODS@#A total of 30 patients with three-walled periodontal intrabony defects adjacent to implant sites were treated with the combination therapy. Patients with three-walled intrabony defects were divided into two groups according to the depth of the intrabony pocket between the implant and natural teeth. Evaluation of wound healing was performed 10 days after the operation, and bone augmentation was evaluated 6 months after the operation.@*RESULTS@#Primary healing in group 1 was 92.31%, primary healing in group 2 was 82.35%. No significant difference was observed between the two groups (@*CONCLUSIONS@#The effect of bone augmentation with combination therapy was more ideal in group 2 than in group 1. Implant placement with combination therapy may be a viable technique to reconstruct three-walled intrabony defects due to the space maintenance provided by implants and bone grafts and the good root surface biocompatibility provided by the Er:YAG laser and EDTA.

Nagilactone E increases PD-L1 expression through activation of c-Jun in lung cancer cells / 中国天然药物

Nagilactone E (NLE), a natural product with anticancer activities, is isolated from Podocarpus nagi. In this study, we reported that NLE increased programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expressions at both protein and mRNA levels in human lung cancer cells, and enhanced its localization on the cell membrane. Mechanistically, NLE increased the phosphorylation and expression of c-Jun, and promoted the localization of c-Jun in the nucleus, while silencing of c-Jun by small interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced NLE-induced PD-L1. Further study showed that NLE activated the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), the upstream of c-Jun, and its inhibitor SP600125 reversed the NLE-increased PD-L1. Moreover, NLE-induced PD-L1 increased the binding intensity of PD-1 on the cell surface. In summary, NLE upregulates the expression of PD-L1 in lung cancer cells through the activation of JNK-c-Jun axis, which has the potential to combine with the PD-1/PD-L1 antibody therapies in lung cancer.

Allocation of pharmaceutical resources in maternal and child healthcare institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic

SUMMARY Since the outbreak of a cluster of patients with pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019, the disease was later officially named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), quickly spreading globally. Pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable during disasters and emergencies. Comprehensive and applicable emergency preparedness and response are definitely important methods to prevent and contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The rational allocation of pharmaceutical resources plays an important role in the medical emergency plan. This paper aimed to share experiences for the allocation of pharmaceutical resources in hospitals focusing primarily on women and children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESUMO Desde o aparecimento de um aglomerado de doentes com pneumonia de causa desconhecida em Wuhan, província de Hubei, China, em dezembro de 2019, a doença foi mais tarde oficialmente nomeada doença do coronavírus 2019 (Covid-19), causada pelo novo vírus da síndrome respiratória aguda grave coronavírus (Sars-CoV-2), que rapidamente se espalhou em nível mundial. As mulheres grávidas e as crianças são particularmente vulneráveis durante catástrofes e emergâncias. A preparação e a resposta de emergência abrangentes e aplicáveis são métodos definitivamente importantes para prevenir e conter a pandemia de Covid-19. A alocação racional dos recursos farmacêuticos desempenha um papel importante no plano de emergência médica. Este documento objetivou compartilhar experiências para a alocação de recursos farmacêuticos em hospitais focando principalmente mulheres e crianças durante a pandemia de Covid-19.

Research frontiers of Chinese medicine pharmaceutics: foundations and key issues of components preparation technology / 药学学报

Based on the integrity and systematicness of Chinese medicine, the components preparation simplifies the complex problems of multi-components of Chinese medicine, provides an effective and feasible model for the development of Chinese medicine preparation. It has become a hot topic in the research of prep-aration, and is also considered as one of the effective ways to realize the modernization of Chinese medicine. Based on the previous research on multi-components and the work of our research group, the research frontiers of multi-components are elucidated, including the properties and characterization techniques of components, the construction of components release unit, and the multiple drug delivery system. The purpose of this paper is to explore the technical basis and key problem of components preparation, and then bring some inspiration and thought to the relevant researchers.

Anticancer carbazole alkaloids and coumarins from Clausena plants: A review / 中国天然药物

Pharmaceutical research has focused on the discovery and development of anticancer drugs. Clinical application of chemotherapy drugs is limited due to their severe side effects. In this regard, new naturally occurring anticancer drugs have gained increasing attention because of their potential effectiveness and safety. Fruits and vegetables are promising sources of anticancer remedy. Clausena (family Rutaceae) is a genus of flowering plants and includes several kinds of edible fruits and vegetables. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies show that carbazole alkaloids and coumarins from Clausena plants exhibit anticancer activity. This review summarizes research progresses made in the anticancer properties of plants belonging to Clausena; in particular, compounds with direct cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, and immune potentiation effects are discussed. This review reveals the potential use of plants from Clausena in preventing and treating cancer and provides a basis for development of relevant therapeutic agents.

Research progress on autophagy regulating excessive inflammation / 生理学报

Autophagy is a highly conserved cellular self-digestion pathway, by which intracellular damaged proteins or organelles are delivered to lysosomes for degradation, so as to protect from various dangerous stimuli and maintain cellular homeostasis. Inflammation is a defensive response to injury or pathogens, through which various inflammatory mediators coordinate host defense and repair. However, uncontrolled inflammatory responses can lead to secondary damage and pathogenesis of inflammatory disease. Recent studies indicate that autophagy pathway and related proteins may play important roles in regulating immune response and controlling excessive inflammation. This review introduced research progress in the role of autophagy in regulating excessive inflammation and possible mechanisms.

Association of glucose transporter 4 gene polymorphism with hypoxia caused by obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and with related inflammatory factors / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and hypoxia caused by obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) as well as with related inflammatory factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Consecutive hypertension patients diagnosed at the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were selected from January to December 2010. A total of 859 subjects with possible OSAS base on their histories and physical examination findings udner went the polysomnography and inflammatory factor determination, of whom 616 (72%) were diagnosed with moderate and severe hypoxia with OSAS (case group) and 243 (28%) without hypoxia or OASA (control group). Ninty-six patients from the case group underwent DNA sequencing at the functional domain of GLUT4 gene to screen for representative mutations. TaqMan PCR was used to genotyping then analyzed the relationship between locis of GLUT4 and hypoxia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>GLUT4 genome sequencing was performed in 96 severe OSAS patients and 4 mutated sites were found, among which 3 mutated sites (rs5415, rs4517, and rs5435) were selected according to the principle of linkage disequilibrium (r² > 0.8) and minimum gene allele frequency > 5%. All of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) satisfied Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05). A significant association of GLUT4 SNP rs5417 allele carried in control subjects, compared with moderate and severe hypoxia in OSAS patients (P<0.05); AA+AC genotype relative to CC with low oxygen levels in subjects significantly reduced. The difference existed in overweight and obese patients, as well as in those aged more than 50 years (P<0.05). AA was still an independent protective factor for hypoxia caused by OSAS (OR=0.385, 95%CI = 0.210-0.704, P=0.002). Male (OR=1.635, 95% CI=1.037-2.577, P=0.034) and total cholesterol (OR=1.600, 95% CI=1.287-1.987, P<0.001) were independent risk factors associated with hypoxia. Normal weight(OR=0.059, 95% CI=0.037-0.094, P<0.001) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR=0.337, 95% CI=0.171-0.666, P=0.002)were independent protective factors for hypoxia. The levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and C-reaction protein above CC were significantly higher than AA+AC (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hypoxia caused by OSAS is associated with GLUT4 gene SNP rs5417.</p>

Chemical constituents from roots of Breynia fruticosa / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the roots of Breynia fruticosa. Methods: The compounds were isolated by comprehensive column chromatography, and the structures were elucidated by spectral methods. Results: Thirteen compounds were isolated and elucidated, including four triterpenoids, friedelin (1), friedelinol (2), lupenone (3), and glochidiol (4); three steroids, including β-sitosterol (5), stigmastane-3β, 6β-diol (6), and β-sitosterylglucoside-6'-octadecanoate (7); two cerebrosides, including 1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S, 3R, 4E, 8Z)-2-[(2-hydroxyoctadecanoyl) amido]-4, 8-octadecadiene-1, 3-diol (8) and 1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S, 3S, 4R, 8Z)-2-[(2R)-2-hydroxypentacosanoylamino]-8-octadecene-1, 3, 4-triol (9); and four other compounds, including (-)-epicatchin (10), ε-caprolactone (11), aviculin (12), and vanillin (13). Conclusion: Compounds 3, 4, 6-9, and 11 are isolated from the plant of Breynia J. R. et G. Forst. nom. cons. for the first time, and compound 11 is isolated from the natural product for the first time.

Research progress on role of ghrelin in brain / 浙江大学学报·医学版

The brain-gut peptide ghrelin, a endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue hormone receptor, is mainly produced by gastric cells in the periphery, regulating energy metabolism via stimulating the appetite. Inside the brain, ghrelin is mainly expressed in the pituitary and in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, regulating the synthesis and secretion of neuropeptides that are correlated with feeding behavior, reproduction, and stress responses. Recently, more and more researches focused on the regulating roles of ghrelin on learning and memory, and mood regulation have indicated that ghrelin may inhibit neuronal apoptosis, improve cognitive function, and regulate the activities of neuroendocrine systems such as the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis thus get involved in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric diseases. The aim of this review is to summarize the main findings in this field, with the purpose of promoting further studies on the role of ghrelin in the brain.

Association between multi-noninvasive indexes and mild coronary stenosis / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the changes of multi-noninvasive indexes including endothelial function, arterial flexibility, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and serum inflammatory cytokines in patients with mild coronary stenosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and five patients were divided into three groups according to the result of coronary angiography: coronary heart disease (stenosis > or = 50% in at least one coronary segment), mild coronary stenosis (stenosis < 50% in at least one coronary segment) and control group (normal coronary). Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ankle-brachial index (ABI), reflecting arterial flexibility and the lower extremity vascular disease respectively, were measured by a Colin system, carotid artery IMT was detected echocardiographically. Serum levels of NO, vWF, hs-CRP were measured before coronary angiography in all patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>baPWV [(1482 +/- 155) cm/s vs. (1249 +/- 158) cm/s] and carotid IMT [(0.88 +/- 0.18) mm vs. (0.72 +/- 0.20) mm] were significantly higher while serum levels of NO [(64 +/- 17) micromol/L vs. (83 +/- 17) micromol/L] was significantly lower in mild coronary stenosis group than those in control group (all P < 0.05). vWF, ABI and hs-CRP were similar between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that NO, baPWV, smoking are independent predicting factors for mild coronary stenosis (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Endothelial dysfunction, reduction of the arterial flexibility as well as increased serum inflammation were associated with mild coronary stenosis.</p>

Surgical methods and techniques of lipomyelomeningocele in children / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the methods and techniques of surgical treatment of lipomyelomeningocele in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2004 to March 2007, twenty-five children aged from 2 months to 6 years with lipomyelomeningocele were operated on. Magnetic resonance imaging and electromyogram had been conducted to all the patients. The operation was composed of subtotal excision of lipomas, suture of spinal pia mater and resection of terminal filum. The results of treatment were evaluated by Hoffman's functional grading scheme for lipomyelomeningocele.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After operation, all the patients recovered and were released from hospital. No complications, including cerebrospinal fluid leakage and infection occurred. During the follow-up of 1 - 4 years, 18 asymptomatic patients' neurological function were normal and there was no deterioration, 7 symptomatic patients improved. Among the 7 patients, 4 patients had higher function grades compared with their preoperative assessments, and the other stayed in the same grades but with symptoms improved. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no tethered cord in all the patients postoperatively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>For lipomyelomeningocele, early operation should be performed to prevent the development of neurological defect. It is safe and effective to adopt subtotal excision of lipomas, suture of spinal pia mater, and resection of terminal filum.</p>

Cervical myelomeningocele: a clinical analysis of 9 cases / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To investigate the diagnosis, and the treatment methods and techniques of cervical myelomeningocele. Methods Nine patients with cervical myelomeningocele, including 5boys and 4 girls, were chosen and received treatment from January 2001 to December 2006. Their ages ranged from 9 d to 5 y. All patients underwent neurological and radiological examinations. One of the 9patients had mild unilateral arm weakness and the others had neurological intact. Of these 9 patients, 4had other associated neurological or orthopedic abnormalities, including mild ventriculomegaly in 2,cervical diastematomyelia in 1 and sacral spina bifida occulta in 1. Surgical excision of the sac and intradural exploration of the sac were performed to release any potential adhesion bands. Results No complications, including cerebrospinal fluid leakage or infection were found after operation. During the follow-up of 1-7y (mean 3.9 y), no cases suffered from any aggravation of the nervous symptoms. Nopatients with neurological intact had a noted neurologic deficit. One patient with left arm weakness got improvement following surgery and 2 with mild ventriculomegaly had normal cerebral ventricle.Conclusion Cervical myelomeningocele with clinical characteristics is a less common congenital spinal anomaly. MRI can identify the internal structures and associated anomalies. The management strategies of cervical myelomeningocele are early surgical treatment with standard microneurosurgicaltechniques to prevent the development of neurological defect. It is a safe and effective method to select and adopt surgery excision of lesions with intradural exploration of the sac to release any potential adhesion bands.

Treatment strategies for mass burn casualties / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Mass burn casualties are always a great challenge to a medical team because a large number of seriously injured patients were sent in within a short time. Usually a high mortality is impending. Experiences gained from successful treatment of the victims may be useful in guiding the care of mass casualties in an armed conflict.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-five burn victims in a single batch, being transferred nonstop by air and highway from a distant province, were admitted 48 hours post-injury. All patients were male with a mean age of (22.4 +/- 8.7) years. The burn extent ranged from 4% to 75% ((13.6 +/- 12.9)%) total body surface area. Among them, thirty-two patients were complicated by moderate and severe inhalation injury, and tracheostomy had been performed in 15 patients. Decompression incisions of burn eschar on extremities were done in 17 cases before transportation. All the thirty-five patients arrived at the destination smoothly via 4-hour airlift and road transportation. Among them, twenty-five patients were in critical condition.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>These thirty-five patients were evacuated 6 hours from the scene of the injury, and they were transferred to a local hospital for primary emergency care. The patients were in very poor condition when admitted to our hospital because of the severe injury with delayed and inadequate treatment. Examination of these patients at admission showed that one patient was suffering from sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Dysfunction of the heart, lung, liver, kidney, and coagulation were all found in the patients. Forty-eight operations were performed in the 23 patients during one month together with comprehensive treatment, and the function of various organs was ameliorated after appropriate treatment. All the 35 patients survived.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A well-organized team consisting of several cooperative groups with specified duties is very important. As a whole, the treatment protocol should be individualized, basing on the extent of the injury and the care that the patient had received at the spot. During airlift, the stretchers should be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cabin. The treatment protocol in our hospital consisted mainly of prompt effective relief of all life-threatening complications, followed by early closure of burn wounds, appropriate use of anti-infection therapy, emphasis on nutritional support, correction of metabolic disorders, alleviation of immunosuppression, correction of coagulopathy, and effective support and protection of organ function.</p>

Characteristics of and strategies for patients with severe burn-blast combined injury / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Severe burn-blast combined injury is a great challenge to medical teams for its high mortality. The aim of this study was to elucidate the clinical characteristics of the injury and to present our clinical experiences on the treatment of such cases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Five patients with severe burn-blast combined injuries were admitted to our hospital 77 hours post-injury on June 7, 2005. The burn extent ranged from 80% to 97% (89.6% +/- 7.2%) of TBSA (full-thickness burns 75% - 92% (83.4% +/- 7.3%)). All the patients were diagnosed as having blast injury and moderate or severe inhalation injury. Functions of the heart, liver, kidney, lung, pancreas and coagulation were observed. Autopsy samples of the heart, liver, and lungs were taken from the deceased. Comprehensive measures were taken during the treatment, including protection of organ dys function, use of antibiotics, early anticoagulant treatment, early closure of burn wounds, etc. All the data were analyzed statistically with t test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One patient died of septic shock 23 hours after admission (four days after injury), the others survived. Dysfunction of the heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, and coagulation were found in all the patients on admission, and the functions were ameliorated after appropriate treatments.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Burn-blast combined injury may cause multiple organ dysfunctions, especially coagulopathy. Proper judgment of patients' condition, energetic anticoagulant treatment, early closure of burn wounds, rational use of antibiotics, nutritional support, intensive insulin treatment, timely and effective support and protection of organ function are the most important contributory factors in successful treatment of burn-blast combined injuries.</p>

The study on the relationship between Rsa I, Alu I polymorphism of the estrogen receptor beta gene and unknown aetiology hypomenorrhea / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between estrogen receptor beta gene (ER beta) polymorphism and unknown aetiology hypomenorrhea in Southwestern China .</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred eumenorrhea women were chosen as control group and another 100 hypomenorrhea patients as case group from Southwestern China. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the Rsa I and Alu I in ER beta gene was analysed. The ER beta gene polymorphism genotype distribution in case group and control group was compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>R allele frequency in case and control groups was 37.5% and 48.5% respectively, the OR was 0.64 (95%CI: 0.42-0.97), P= 0.026. A allele frequency in case and control groups was 18.0% and 11.5% respectively, the OR was 1.69 (95%CI: 0.93-3.09), P= 0.07. RFLP of Rsa I and Alu I in both groups were distributed with polymorphism.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ERbeta gene polymorphism has a relation with unknown aetiological hypomenorrhea. R allele may be the guard factor, and A allele may be its risk factor.</p>

Effects of zinc supplementation on zinc and calcium levels in serum and tissue in burned rats / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of zinc supplementation on zinc and calcium levels in serum and tissue in burned rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty SD rats were randomly divided into C group (control group without scald, n = 8), and N, W, H groups (each consisting of 24 rats), in which the rats were exposed to scalding resulting in partial thickness burns covering 15% of the total body surface area on the back, and then they were fed with diets containing zinc 40 microg/g in N and W groups, and 80 microg/g in H group. A cream containing zinc 761.1 microg/g was applied on the wound in W group at the same time. Eight rats of each group were sacrificed on day 1, 3 and 7 after scald respectively. Venous blood and samples of liver, femur and scald skin were harvested. Zinc and calcium contents in serum and tissues were determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The serum Zn(2+) levels in N, W groups were lower than C group, however, it was obviously higher in H group (up to 16.2 micromol/L) on day 1 after scald. The liver Zn(2+) showed an increasing tendency in all groups, while Ca(2+) level declined in H group, but increased in N, W group. The bone Zn(2+) and Ca(2+) levels showed a progressive declination in all groups from day 1 to 7 after scald. The changes were more obviously in N group than H group (P < 0.05). The Zn(2+) content of the scalded skin increased obviously in H group on first day after scald and in W group on 7th day after scald. The Ca(2+) contents of scalded skin showed marked increases in all groups, especially in N group, but least in W group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There are obvious changes in Zn(2+) and Ca(2+) contents of serum and tissues after scald injury and zinc supplementation. The effects of zinc supplementation on calcium level in the tissue need to be further studied.</p>