Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: The present study designed to assess the effect of Mg+Zn, vitamin C+E, and combination of these micronutrients on blood pressure in type 2 diabetic patients.

Materials and methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial, 69 type 2 diabetic patients were randomly divided into four groups, each group receiving one of the following daily supplement for 3 months; group M: 200 mg and 30 mg Zn (n=16), group V: 200 mg vitamin C and 150 mg vitamin E (n=18), group MV: minerals plus vitamins (n=17), group P: placebo (n=18). Blood pressure was measured at the beginning and at the end of the trial. Treatment effects were analyzed by general linear modelling.

Results: Results indicate that after 3 months of supplementation levels of systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure decreased significantly in the MV group by 8 mmHg (122±16 vs 130±19 mmHg), 6 mmHg (77±9 vs 83±11 mmHg), and 7 mmHg (92±9 vs 99±13 mmHg), respectively (P<0.05). Also combination of vitamin and mineral supplementation had significantly effects in increasing serum potassium and decreasing serum sodium to potassium ratio (P<0.05) and in decreasing serum malondialdehyde (P<0.05). There was no significant change in the levels of these parameters in the other 3 groups.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that in type 2 diabetic patients, combination of vitamins and minerals rather than vitamin C and E, or Mg and Zn, might decrease blood pressure.