Effects of zinc supplement on plasma homocysteine level in end-stage renal disease patients: a double-blind randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Increased homocysteine (hCys) level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular complications in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of zinc (Zn) supplement on serum hCys level in ESRD patients. One hundred ESRD patients with Zn deficiency were enrolled in this double-blind randomized clinical trial. They were randomly subdivided into two groups and supplemented with Zn (Zn group) or placebo (control group) for 6 weeks. Fasting plasma hCys and Zn levels were measured before and at 43rd days after the start of the study. Serum Zn levels increased significantly (p < 0.0001), in Zn-treated group in comparison to placebo-treated group. In the Zn-treated group, serum hCys levels reduced significantly (p < 0.0001), compared to placebo group (p > 0.05). There was a significant (p < 0.0001) reduction of mean percentage of hCys in Zn-treated group compared to the placebo group. Our study showed that Zn supplementation decreases serum hCys levels in ESRD patients with Zn deficiency.