Effect of zinc supplementation on serum mlondealdehyde and lipid profiles on beta thalassemia major patients

Thalassemic patients are seriously at risk of serum dislipidemia, zinc deficiency and tissue damage due to oxidative stress induced by iron storage. In biologic systems, zinc may interact with iron and inhibit oxidative and reductive reactions resulted by iron and other chimiooxidative agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation on serum Malondealdehyde (MDA) and lipid profiles in beta thalassemia major patients. In this clinical trial, 60 beta thalassemia major patients (male & female) older than 18 years old were assigned randomly in two groups as intervention and control groups(30 per group). The intervention group ingested zinc supplement as 220 mg zinc sulfate capsule contented 50 mg elemental zinc daily for 3 months. The control group did not receive any supplement in that time. Information about general characteristics, weight, height and dietary intake were gathered before and after the end of study. Blood samples were obtained from each subject prior and after the study and serum zinc, MDA, triglyceride, LDL-C and HDL-C levels were measured. Data analyzed with paired t-test, independent t-test and ANOVA. Zinc supplementation caused significant increasing in daily caloric intake, body mass index, serum zinc and HDL-C levels and significant reduction in LDL-C levels in intervention group. No significant variations were observed for other variables in both of groups. Zinc supplementation had beneficial effects on serum lipid profiles in studied beta thalassemic patients and might have suitable role in delaying cardiovascular disease risks in these patients.