Effects of Zinc Supplementation on Endocrine Outcomes in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Mehri Jamilian
Rezvan Talaee
Zatollah Asemi
Fatemeh Foroozanfard
Fereshteh Bahmani
Mahshid Monavari
Journal: Biological Trace Element Research (2016)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Inflammation; Oxidative stress; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Reproductive outcomes; Supplementation
Affiliations: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Islamic Republic of Iran., Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran., Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran., Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran., Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran. .

Abstract:  The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc supplementation on endocrine outcomes, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study was a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Forty-eight women (18-40 years) with PCOS diagnosed according to Rotterdam criteria were randomly assigned to receive either 220 mg zinc sulfate (containing 50 mg zinc) (group 1; n = 24) and/or placebo (group 2; n = 24) for 8 weeks. Hormonal profiles, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress were measured at study baseline and after 8-week intervention. After 8 weeks of intervention, alopecia (41.7 vs. 12.5%, P = 0.02) decreased compared with the placebo. Additionally, patients who received zinc supplements had significantly decreased hirsutism (modified Ferriman-Gallwey scores) (-1.71 ± 0.99 vs. -0.29 ± 0.95, P &lt; 0.001) and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (-0.09 ± 1.31 vs. +2.34 ± 5.53 μmol/L, P = 0.04) compared with the placebo. A trend toward a significant effect of zinc intake on reducing high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels (P = 0.06) was also observed. We did observe no significant changes of zinc supplementation on hormonal profiles, inflammatory cytokines, and other biomarkers of oxidative stress. In conclusion, using 50 mg/day elemental zinc for 8 weeks among PCOS women had beneficial effects on alopecia, hirsutism, and plasma MDA levels; however, it did not affect hormonal profiles, inflammatory cytokines, and other biomarkers of oxidative stress. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Two cases of duplication of data in Figure 3D and 5C: ![file] , 
 A plot in Figure 5D appears to have a repeated area (mirrored). This seems unlikely to occur by chance. *** Closeup ![file] *** Full plot ![file] , 
 #2 The other flow-cytometry images in this paper are like old friends. Here, Fig 6G,  Cell apoptosis measured by FACS-based Annexin-V FITC double staining . ![file] And a medley from https: forbetterscience.com 2020 08 12 we-are-extremely-guilty-and-distressed ![] , 
 Fig 1C: ![file] Fig 7C from [Pan et al (2018)] : ![] , 
 Retracted, [14 July 2021] . ------------------------- This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. Upon investigation, it was discovered that 5 figures contain fabrication. Figures 1C, 3D, 5C, 5D, and 6G contain manipulated and or duplicated data. The authors requested a corrigendum be published, however, due to the large number of corrections applied (Figs. 3, 6, 7, 8 and S3), it cannot be concluded that these changes would not alter the conclusions of the paper. The scientific community takes a very strong view on this matter and apologies are offered to readers of the journal that this was not detected during the submission process. ------------------------------ See also https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1r0MyIYpagBc58BRF9c3luWNlCX8VUvUuPyYYXzxWvgY edit?usp=sharing ,