Zinc supplementation and plasma lipid peroxides in an elderly population.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of vitamin A, zinc or both on plasma lipid peroxides in a healthy elderly population.


METHODS
Double-blind randomized controlled trial supplementation of vitamin A and zinc.


METHODS
Public home for elderly people, in Rome, Italy.


METHODS
A total of 178 residents of a Public home for elderly people were evaluated regarding health and nutritional status. 136 gave a written consensus to participate in the trial and were randomized in four groups of treatment. 118 elderly completed the trial.


METHODS
Three months supplementation of the following treatments: (1) vitamin A (800 micrograms retinol palmitate); (2) zinc (25 mg zinc as sulphate); (3) vitamin A and zinc (800 micrograms retinol palmitate and 25 mg zinc as sulphate); (4) placebo (starch containing capsules).


METHODS
Plasma lipid peroxides (TBA-RS) were measured before and after supplementation.


RESULTS
Zinc supplementation was associated with a decrease in plasma lipid peroxides (beta = -0.19; 95% confidence levels: -0.37, -0.002; p-value = 0.05) after adjusting for sex, smoking habits, baseline plasma lipid peroxides and vitamin A plasma levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Zinc supplementation decreased plasma lipid peroxides while vitamin A had no effect in this elderly population. Adequate zinc intake or supplementation could play an important role in the prevention and/ or modulation of diseases in the elderly people.
Fortes
C
C
Epidemiologic Unit, Lazio Region, Rome.
Agabiti
N
N
Fano
V
V
Pacifici
R
R
Forastiere
F
F
Virgili
F
F
Zuccaro
P
P
Perruci
C A
CA
Ebrahim
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014801:Vitamin A; D015032:Zinc