Effects of Oral Supplementation of Arginine, Zinc and Vitamin C on Collagen Synthesis in Inguinal Hernia Patients

Overview

Collagen synthesis is depressed systemically in the immediate postoperative period. Arginine, zinc and vitamin C impact collagen synthesis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a pre and postoperative oral supplement consisting of arginine, zinc and vitamin C on collagen synthesis in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair.

The trial investigates the effect of a pre and postoperative oral supplement consisting of arginine, zinc and vitamin C on collagen type I synthesis in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair. The patients in the intervention group are given 55 mg zinc, 1251 mg vitamin C, and 15 g arginine once daily 14 days pre-operatively and post-operatively. Both groups receive high quality protein (1.5 g protein/kg body weight) daily during the same period. Hernia repair is done using the Lichtenstein technique. Drainage tubes are placed in the wound during the surgery. Epidermal wounds (10 mm) are made via the suction blister method on the ventral forearm of the patients on the day of surgery. Blood samples are drawn at day -14, day 0, day 1 and day 2. The surgical drain is emptied and fluid collected at day 1 and day 2.The healing of the suction blisters is assessed by clinical criteria until healing.

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes