Different effects of polaprezinc and zinc chloride on zinc supplementation in elderly bedridden patients receiving enteral nutrition

Aims : The purposes of this study were to compare the efTects of polaprezinc and zinc chloride on serum zinc and copper concentrations in elderly bedridden patients receiving enteral nutrition, and to examine the efTects of polaprezinc on pressure ulcer healing in those patients. Methods : Seven elderly bedridden patients receiving enteral nutrition entered into a crossover study of 2-week treatment periods with polaprezinc or zinc chloride, separated by a 4week washout period. Serum zinc and copper concentra- tions were compared between both treatment periods. Then, another five elderly patients with pressure ulcers were treated with polaprezinc for 8 weeks. The assessment of pressure ulcers was made weekly using the PUSH tool 3.0. Results: After 2 weeks, polaprezinc significantly increased serum zinc concentrations, decreased serum copper/zinc ratios, but did not change serum copper concentrations. Zinc chloride did not change these three parameters. Polaprezinc also produced a significant improve- ment in PUSH score and a reduction of 81 96 in ulcer area after 8 weeks. Conclusion: The efficiency of absorption of zinc from polaprezinc may be much higher than that from zinc chloride in elderly bedridden patients receiving enteral nutrition. Polaprezinc may also have a beneficial efTect on pressure ulcer healing in those patients