title: Preventive effects of zinc sulfate on taste alterations in patients under irradiation for head and neck cancers: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Taste abnormalities are common among cancer patients after starting radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Considering the role of zinc and reports on its beneficial effects in taste perception, we evaluated the preventive effects of zinc sulfate on radiation-induced taste alterations.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, adult patients with head and neck cancers who were on schedule for radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy, were allocated to receive zinc sulfate (50 mg, three times a day) or placebo; started with beginning of radiotherapy and continued for one month later. Taste acuity was determined by measuring detection and recognition thresholds for four taste qualities at baseline, at the end of radiotherapy, and a month later using the Henkin method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-five patients (mean age = 59.2 ± 16.5, 60% male) completed the trial. The two groups were similar at baseline. After radiotherapy, and one month later, there was a significant increase in taste perception threshold for bitter, salty, sweet, and sour tastes in the placebo group (P = 0.001). In those who received zinc, there was only slight increase in threshold for perception of the salty taste (P = 0.046). No relevant side effects due to zinc sulfate were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zinc supplementation in head/neck cancer patients under radiotherapy can prevent radiation-induced taste alterations. Further studies with longer follow-ups and with different doses of zinc supplementation are warranted in this regard.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Najafizade
authors.forename: Simin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hemati
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gookizade
authors.forename: Nezameddin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Berjis
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hashemi
authors.forename: Soheil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vejdani
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghannadi
authors.forename: Armindokht
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shahsanaee
authors.forename: Nafise
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arbab
keywords: Cancer; dysgeusia; radiotherapy; taste loss; taste perception; zinc sulfate
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