The effect of zinc and vitamin E cosupplementation on metabolic status and its related gene expression in patients with gestational diabetes

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this 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 mellitus (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. Gene expression 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?=?.001), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (β?=??0.96; 95% CI, ?1.54, ?0.38; p?=?.002), serum total-cholesterol (β?=??8.56; 95% CI, ?16.69, ?0.43; p?=?.03) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL)-cholesterol (β?=??8.72; 95% CI, ?15.27, ?2.16; p?=?.01), and higher quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (β?=?0.01; 95% CI, 0.005, 0.02; p?=?.007) compared with the placebo. Moreover, zinc and vitamin E cosupplementation upregulated gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ; p?=?.03) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR; p?=?.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.