Effect of zinc supplementation on inflammatory markers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome, as a low-grade chronic inflammatory state, may stimulate the immune response, increasing inflammatory factors such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) on one hand and zinc, another effective anti-inflammatory agent, on the other. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of zinc on inflammatory markers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Patients and Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, and placebo controlled clinical trial, sixty patients with polycystic ovary syndrome were randomly divided into two groups, each group received one of the following daily supplement for eight weeks; group Zn: 50 mg elemental zinc (n = 30), and group P: Placebo (n =30). Fasting serum zinc levels, inflammatory markers, systolic-and diastolic blood pressure, anthropometric indices, and nutritional intake were measured at the baseline and the end of 8th week. Results: Results indicate that after eight weeks of supplementation, mean value of nutritional intake, anthropometric indices, and systolic-and diastolic blood pressure did not change significantly in the two groups. Zinc supplementation had significant effects in increasing serum Zn (p < 0.05) and in decreasing serum hs-CRP and IL-6 levels (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in the levels of these parameters in the placebo group. Conclusions: The findings of the present study indicate that zinc supplementation may be considered as an inexpensive adjunct to treatments in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome in the hope of reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors, particularly inflammation. © 2011, Shiraz E Medical Journal. All right reserved.