title: Zinc supplementation and the effects on metabolic status in gestational diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To the best of our knowledge, no reports are available indicating the effects of zinc supplementation on metabolic status in women with gestational diabetes (GDM). This study was designed to determine the effects of zinc supplementation on glucose homeostasis parameters and lipid concentrations in GDM women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 58 women diagnosed with GDM, primigravida and aged 18-40years old. Patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive 233mg zinc gluconate (containing 30mg zinc) supplements (n=29) or placebo (n=29) per day for 6weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning and end of the trial to quantify glucose, insulin and lipid concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients who received zinc supplements had significantly higher serum zinc concentrations (+6.9±13.2 vs. -1.5±16.5mg/dL, P=0.03) than those received the placebo. In addition, zinc-supplemented patients had reduced fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (-6.6±11.2 vs. +0.6±6.7mg/dL, P=0.005), serum insulin levels (-1.3±6.6 vs. +6.6±12.2μIU/mL, P=0.003), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (-0.5±1.6 vs. +1.5±2.7, P=0.001), homeostatic model assessment-Beta cell function (HOMA-B) (-0.7±25.0 vs. +26.5±49.5, P=0.01) and increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+0.01±0.01 vs. -0.01±0.02, P=0.004) compared with the placebo. Additionally, significant differences in serum triglycerides (+13.6±61.4 vs. +45.9±36.5mg/dL, P=0.01) and VLDL-cholesterol concentrations (+2.7±12.3 vs. +9.2±7.3mg/dL, P=0.01) were observed following the administration of zinc supplements compared with the placebo.We did not observe any significant effects of taking zinc supplements on other lipid profiles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taken together, 30mg zinc supplementation per day for 6weeks among GDM women had beneficial effects on metabolic profiles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, I.R. Iran; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, I.R. Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karamali
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Ashkezar branch, Ashkezar, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Heidarzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Ashkezar branch, Ashkezar, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Morteza
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Seifati
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran.
authors.forename: Mansooreh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran.
authors.forename: Zohreh
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tabassi
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hajijafari
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran. Electronic address: asemi_r@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Zatollah
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Asemi
authors.affiliation: Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Esmaillzadeh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005942:Gluconates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D007492:Iran; D059012:Lost to Follow-Up; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D055815:Young Adult; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D005942:Gluconates; D015032:Zinc; C030691:gluconic acid
keywords: Gestational diabetes; Insulin metabolism; Lipid concentrations; Supplementation; Zinc