Zinc and vitamin E significantly improved insulin metabolism, lipid profile, and the gene expression levels of PPAR-γ and LDLR. - GreenMedInfo Summary

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to determine the effects of zinc and vitamin E cosupplementation on metabolic status and gene expression related to insulin and lipid metabolism in women with gestational diabetes (GDM).

METHODS: Fifty four women, in the age range of 18-40 years, diagnosed with GDM were recruited for this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects were randomly allocated into two intervention groups to either taking 233 mg/day Zinc Gluconate plus 400-IU/day vitamin E supplements or placebo (n = 27 each group) for 6 weeks. Geneexpression related to insulin and lipid metabolism was evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of women with GDM using RT-PCR method.

RESULTS: Participants who received zinc plus vitamin E supplements had significantly lower serum insulin levels (β -3.81; 95% CI, -5.90, -1.72; p = 0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (β -0.96; 95% CI, -1.54, -0.38; p = 0.002), serum total-cholesterol (β -8.56; 95% CI, -16.69, -0.43; p = 0.03) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL)-cholesterol (β -8.72; 95% CI, -15.27, -2.16;p = 0.01), and higher quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (β 0.01; 95% CI, 0.005, 0.02; p = 0.007) compared with the placebo. Moreover, zinc and vitamin E cosupplementation upregulated gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR)-γ) (p = 0.03) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) (p = 0.04) compared with the placebo. Though, zinc and vitamin E combination did not affect other metabolic parameters.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, zinc and vitamin E cosupplementation for 6 weeks in women with GDM significantly improved insulin metabolism, lipid profile, and the gene expression levels of PPAR-γ and LDLR.