No antioxidant beneficial effect of zinc supplementation on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant defenses in middle-aged and elderly subjects: the Zenith study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate whether zinc supplementation affects antioxidant status in European middle-aged and elderly people.


METHODS
Multicentre prospective intervention study, randomized, double-blind, placebo-control.


METHODS
France (Clermont-Ferrand/Theix, and Grenoble), Italy (Rome), Northern Ireland (Coleraine).


METHODS
A total of 387 healthy middle-aged (55-70 yrs) and free-living older aged (70-85 yrs) subjects were randomly allocated to three groups: 0, 15 or 30 mg zinc gluconate/d in addition to usual dietary intake during 6 months.


METHODS
Oxidative stress status was evaluated by measurement of protein oxidation (plasma thiol groups), lipid peroxidation (plasma thio-barbituric acid reactants, TBARS), whole blood glutathione levels, erythrocyte copper/zinc superoxide dismutase activity and plasma antioxidant status (ferric reducing antioxidant power assay), at baseline and after 3 and 6 months.


RESULTS
Zinc supplementation did not alter oxidative stress markers and antioxidant defenses in elderly, after 3 or 6 months, except an increase in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity.


CONCLUSIONS
In apparently healthy free living elderly people, a single zinc supplementation had no effects on oxidative stress status.
Andriollo-Sanchez
Maud
M
INSERM and LBFA, Université J. Fourier, Grenoble, France.
Hininger-Favier
Isabelle
I
Meunier
Nathalie
N
Venneria
Eugenia
E
O'Connor
Jacqueline M
JM
Maiani
Giuseppe
G
Polito
Angela
A
Bord
Séverine
S
Ferry
Monique
M
Coudray
Charles
C
Roussel
Anne-Marie
AM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D028421:Isoprostanes / Q000652:urine; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D028421:Isoprostanes; D003404:Creatinine; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D015032:Zinc