| Summary. Aim: Zinc (Zn) deficiency has been shown to be associated with age-related eye diseases, such as
diabetic retinopathy. Blood sugar and blood pressure are prognostic factors in diabetic retinopathy. The aim
of this study was to evaluate the effects of zinc supplementation on diabetes indices and blood pressure in
patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Patients and Methods: 45 patients with non-proliferative
diabetic retinopathy (20 males and 25 females) aged from 40 to 70 years were participated in current doubleblind
randomized placebo-controlled trial. The disease was diagnosed by an expert ophthalmologist according
to early photocoagulation and diabetic retinopathy criteria. The patients were assigned to intervention
(23 patients) and placebo (n = 22) groups. The groups received zinc (as zinc gluconate; 30 mg) and placebo
(maltodextrin; 30 mg) for 3 months, respectively. Fasting insulin, fasting glucose, insulin resistance index
(HOMA-IR), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and
serum zinc levels were measured before and after the intervention in the both groups. Results: Zinc supplementation
significantly increased serum zinc (P= 0.004) and decreased serum insulin levels (P= 0.008), fasting
blood sugar (FBS) (P= 0.011), HOMA-IR (P= 0.002) and SBP (P= 0.017) in the intervention group compared
with placebo group. The intervention had no significant effects on DBP, HbA1c. Conclusion: Due to the positive
effects of zinc supplementation on prognostic factors of diabetic retinopathy, it seems complementary
therapy with zinc is needed in these patients. |