Impact of oral zinc therapy on the level of sex hormones in male patients on hemodialysis.
BACKGROUND
Sexual dysfunction in chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis is common. It is demonstrated that the zinc level is significantly lower in the hemodialysis patients.


OBJECTIVE
In this clinical trial, we investigate the effect of zinc supplement therapy on the serum levels of sexual hormones in hemodialysis male patients.


METHODS
We carried out a clinical trial study including 100 of our male patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, and zinc plasma level were measured in all of the patients. The patients received zinc supplement (zinc sulfate, 250 mg/day) for 6 weeks, and sex hormones and zinc plasma level were checked again.


RESULTS
Serum level of FSH and prolactin did not have any significant changes before and after intervention, but serum level of testosterone, LH, and zinc increased significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that although zinc administration did not have a definite effect on hemodialysis patients with sexual dysfunction, it can cause increase in the serum level of sex hormones which may improve the sexual function of the patients in some aspects.
Jalali
Ghanbarali Raeis
GR
Urology Nephrology Research Centre, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Roozbeh
Jamshid
J
Mohammadzadeh
Azam
A
Sharifian
Maryam
M
Sagheb
Mohammad Mahdi
MM
Hamidian Jahromi
Alireza
A
Shabani
Sanaz
S
Ghaffarpasand
Fariborz
F
Afshariani
Raha
R
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D015032:Zinc