title: Zinc supplementation and plasma lipid peroxides in an elderly population.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiologic Unit, Lazio Region, Rome.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fortes
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Agabiti
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fano
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pacifici
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forastiere
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Virgili
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zuccaro
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Perruci
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ebrahim
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014801:Vitamin A; D015032:Zinc