Effect of zinc on the wound healing process

Abstract

The aim of this work is to determine the optimal concentration of zinc that stimulates the wound healing process. This study will turn on three main experiments, that will be performed at least twice. The first experiment's objective is to observe the proliferation of the cells in presence of different quantities of zinc, depending on time. From that point we will be able to determine the approximated optimal zinc concentration that enhances the healing process. The second one concerns the cells migration. In fact, a wound will be simulated by a scratch on the cells layer with the tip of a pipette. Then different concentrations of zinc will be added . Next the lesion areas will be measured with Image J software and then compared in order to determine which zinc concentration engenders the fastest regeneration. The final experiment deals with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), which is a zinc-dependent protein. In this experiment will be performed a zymography and a BCA assay, technics used to determine the quantity of enzymes or proteins in a solution.