Effects of epidermal growth factor dosage forms on mice full-thickness skin wound zinc levels and relation to wound strength.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and zinc promote re-epithelization and reparative tissue strength by enhancing deposition of collagen at the site of the wound. In this study two EGF dosage forms were chosen to assess the effect of zinc levels on wound healing and for comparison with wound tear strengths. A solution of EGF in 0.9% w/v NaCl and an EGF gel in 0.2% Carbopol 940 polymer (5 microL) were applied to full-thickness skin wounds of mice twice a day for 7 and 15 days. Wound zinc levels were higher on day 7 than on day 15, especially in wounds treated with EGF. The wound zinc levels of the gel + EGF group on day 15 were similar to those of normal control skin. These results imply that there is a close connection, but no direct relationship, between EGF application in both dosage forms and wound zinc levels during healing.