title: Effects of zinc supplementation on serum zinc and C-reactive protein concentrations in hemodialysis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the effects of zinc supplementation on serum zinc and C-reactive protein concentrations in hemodialysis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted at the Shahid Faghihi and Namazi Dialysis Centers in Shiraz, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-five hemodialysis patients (32 men and 23 women) participated after meeting the following criteria: zinc deficiency, treated for a minimum of 6 months; no record of hospitalizations in the preceding 3 months; and hemodialysis treatment 2 to 3 times per week.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomly divided into two groups. The zinc supplementation group (n=28) received a 220-mg zinc sulfate capsule, and the control group (n=27) received a placebo capsule (220 mg corn starch), for 42 days.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fasting, predialysis serum samples were collected on days 0 and 42 to determine serum zinc and C-reactive protein levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After supplementation, subjects in the zinc-supplemented group showed significant increases in serum zinc concentrations, from 57.4+/-2.4 microg/dL SEM on day 0 to 88.4+/-4.8 microg/dL SEM on day 42. Serum C-reactive protein concentrations were initially high among subjects in the control (15.1+/-3.9 mg/L SEM) and zinc-supplemented (13.5+/-3.8 mg/L SEM) groups. Serum C-reactive protein concentrations in the control group increased throughout the study period, but did not reach statistical significance. A progressive decrease in serum C-reactive protein concentrations was observed in the zinc-supplemented group from the beginning (13.5+/-3.8mg/L SEM) to the end (10.5+/-3.5mg/L SEM) of the study, but this event was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zinc supplementation intake may cause an increase in serum zinc concentrations, leading to a decrease of inflammation in hemodialysis patients.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran 87159-85131. rashidi_al@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ali A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rashidi
authors.forename: Mosa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salehi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piroozmand
authors.forename: Mohammad M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Sagheb
mesh_terms: D001252:Astringents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency; D019287:Zinc Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001252:Astringents; D019287:Zinc Sulfate; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015032:Zinc