Zinc and DNA Health

Effects of zinc supplementation on lymphocyte and buccal cell genome instability in an elderly Australian population

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12610000059066

Enrollment

120

Registered

2010-01-19

Start date

2010-02-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Mild zinc deficiency has been reported in general aging populations due to numerous factors as previously reported by the International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Steering Committee. Zinc deficiency may cause impaired immunity, increased DNA damage, delayed wound healing, depression, impaired cognitive function and increased oxidative stress. As zinc deficiency can affect the health of ageing individuals, it is important to maintain an adequate zinc status within this population. To date, there is no data available on the benefits of zinc supplementation in an ageing Australian population.The findings of this research may provide knowledge on the effect of zinc supplementation in an elderly population in relation to DNA health (i.e. prevention of DNA damage). We believe there is a strong likelihood that these outcomes will be achieved by this study. Study hypotheses is zinc supplementation increases zinc status, reduces DNA damage and improves cell growth in both lymphocytes and buccal cells in elderly individuals.

Interventions

Volunteers will be given either zinc tablets -20mg/tablet or placebo tablets daily for 3 months. This supplement will be delivered orally in tablet form. Subjects will have two separate visits to the CSIRO Clinic of 30 minutes duration each on day 0 and day 90, end of intervention. Following a baseline visit they will be randomised to consume a placebo or a 20 mg Zinc tablet for 3 months. The visits will 12 weeks apart. At each visit, volunteers will provide blood and buccal cell sample.

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Primary purpose

Prevention

Masking

Blinded (masking used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

65 Years to 85 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

Healthy men and women aged over 65 years

Exclusion criteria

Individuals supplementing with more than 25% of the recommended dietary intake of zinc. Individuals with habitual dietary intake > 20 mg/day. Individuals undergoing radiotherapy/chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Individuals with plasma zinc > 10.5 micromoles

Outcome results