Co-supplementation of zinc and probiotic on oxidative stress markers and sleep quality index in irritable bowel syndrome patients: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.
Mahsa Rezazadegan, Parvane Saneei, Maryam Soheilipour et al.
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In 30 seconds
This parallel, double-blind randomised controlled trial assessed zinc alone and zinc plus probiotics in 84 people with irritable bowel syndrome over 90 days, comparing both with placebo. Both zinc-containing groups had greater increases in serum zinc and reductions in serum total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) than placebo. For TOS, mean changes were -1.47 ± 0.38 and -1.67 ± 0.60, respectively (p = 0.001); for OSI, they were -1.70 ± 0.28 and -2.05 ± 0.63 (p = 0.004). No significant between-group effects were found for sleep quality or the other reported oxidative markers.
Key findings
- Serum zinc increased with zinc alone and zinc plus probiotics versus placebo (mean change: 6.36 ± 0.80 and 13.03 ± 3.82, vs. -1.76 ± 1.82 µg/dL; p = 0.008).
- TOS decreased in both zinc-containing groups versus placebo (mean change: - 1.47 ± 0.38 and - 1.67 ± 0.60, respectively, p = 0.001).
- OSI decreased with zinc alone and zinc plus probiotics versus placebo (mean change: -1.70 ± 0.28 and - 2.05 ± 0.63, respectively, p = 0.004).
- No significant between-group effects were observed for sleep quality, MDA, TAC, or SOD activity.
Why it matters
The trial suggests zinc supplementation may alter selected serum oxidative stress markers in people with IBS, while the tested regimens did not show a between-group sleep-quality benefit. These findings help distinguish biomarker changes from patient-reported outcomes and underscore that changes in laboratory measures do not by themselves establish meaningful clinical benefit.
What to keep in mind
The trial lasted 90 days and reported biomarker and sleep-quality outcomes; the abstract does not establish whether the biomarker changes translate into clinical benefit.