IMPACT OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION ON INFLAMMATION AND FATIGUE IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS.

Background: Inflammation and fatigue are now considered as predictors of cardiovascular and all cause mortality and up till now have no valid treatment strategies. Zinc deficiency occurs frequently in HD patients and is assumed to be related to inflammation and fatigue in HD patients. This study was designed to determine the effects of Zn supplementation on inflammation and fatigue in zinc deficient hemodialysis patients. Methods: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled single blinded study was conducted on long-term HD patients with serum Zn concentration < 80 μg/dL. Fifty two patients were randomized to 2 groups; group 1 received 25 mg/day oral Zinc supplement for twelve weeks and group 2 received placebo for twelve weeks. Serum high sensitive-CRP (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study. Results: At the end of the study, there were a significant decrease in FSS in group 1 (p = 0.001) with a significant difference between the two groups in percent change (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences either in serum hs-CRP or in IL-6 levels within or between the two groups. Conclusions: Zinc supplementation in HD patients at dose of 25 mg/day for 12 weeks improved fatigue but did not affect inflammatory markers.