The American journal of clinical nutrition
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Trace element supplementation after major burns increases burned skin trace element concentrations and modulates local protein metabolism but not whole-body substrate metabolism.
After major burns, patients exhibit an intense catabolism, and the wounds require surgery and grafting for closure. Complications, such as weight loss and delayed wound healing, are worsened by trace element (TE) deficiencies. ⋯ TE supplementation was associated with an increased skin tissue content of selenium and zinc and with a reduction in skin protein catabolism.