Background: The Real-time PCR assay has been established as the standard method for Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) quantitation in immunocompromised patients. However, the question of which one of whole blood or plasma specimens is better for viral quantitation is still unresolved for many clinical laboratories. To answer this question, the current study compares HCMV DNA load in whole blood and plasma samples.

Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, the whole blood and plasma samples were obtained from 41 transplantated patients and the viral load was detected using a validated, in-house Real-time PCR assay.

Results: Of the total 193 examined specimens, 174 were negative and 19 samples, from 16 patients, were positive in at least one of whole blood or plasma samples. Based on the results of linear regression analysis, the cytomegalovirus viral load was correlated in whole blood and plasma samples (R2: 0.872). However, the regression equation shows that the HCMV load in whole blood samples is higher than load of this virus in plasma. The validity of the quantitative results was confirmed by repeating the tests and analyzing the results using the repeated measure analysis.

Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, HCMV quantitation in whole blood samples has a higher analytical sensitivity than in plasma samples.

Background: Considering to the frequency of occurrence of hypoglycemia in diabetes, alternative substrates for glucose play an important role in maintaining brain metabolism. The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term effects of endurance training on brain lactate uptake during hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, seventy-two male Wistar rats were equally divided into four groups: Control, Trained, Diabetic control and Diabetic trained. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneally injection of streptozotocin. After 8 weeks of endurance training, Hypoglycemia was induced by an intraperitoneally injection of insulin. One-half hours after hypoglycemia, lactate (4 mmol/kg) was injected intraperitoneally into animals. Animals were killed at intervals of 10, 20, and 30 min after injection, plasma and brain concentration of lactate and glucose were measured.

Results: A significant difference was found for plasma lactate concentration at intervals 20 (p<0.05) and 30 (p<0.05) between healthy groups and also between diabetic groups (p<0.05). Thirty minutes after injection, significant increase in brain lactate concentration was found between control and trained (p<0.05) and control diabetic and diabetic trained (p<0.05). Brain/plasma ratio of lactate had a similar pattern with brain lactate concentration. Increase in brain lactate concentration had no effect on decreased level of brain glucose concentration.

Conclusion: Endurance training can increase the brain lactate uptake of diabetic rats during hypoglycemia.

Background: Human &beta-defensin 126 (12kDa) is a small cationic glycoprotein that is highly rich of cysteine. DEFB126 gene is located on the subtelomeric end of 20p1.3 in human. High expression of this protein is reported in epididymis. This polypeptide coats the plasma membrane of sperm during epididy‌mal transit. It is likely that &beta -defensin 126 might have role in unexplained male infertility since it involves in sperm maturation and capacitation. The current research designed to investigate if there is relation between &beta-defensin 126 gene mutation and unexplained male infertility.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study we followed a two cytosine nucleotides deletion of &beta-defensin 126 gene in 35 Iranian men with unexplained infertility and 40 fertile men with normal spermogeram as control group. Standard PCR, SSCP(Single strand conformational polymorphism), and sequencing were used to detect genetic alteration of &beta-defensin 126. ELISA was performed for the assessment of the protein expression on sperm cells.

Results: Analysis of genetic data revealed 28.6% homozygote deletion in unexplained infertile men while this deletion was detected in 7.5% of controls. The deletion frequency was statistically higher in infertile patients than normal control group (p<0.05). The protein expression was less in men with del/del genotype compare to the other genotypes (p<0.005).

Conclusion: Our study shows that this common sequence variation of &beta-defensin 126 takes part in impairment of male reproductive function. Consequently, men with the del/del genotype are significantly less fertile than men who carry the wild type allele.

Background: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of insulin versus oral hypoglycemic drugs for gestational diabetes treatment, using evidence based medicine approach.

Materials and Methods: This secondary study was conducted by selecting a comprehensive systematic review through searching the Cochrane library. To calculate the number needed to treat (NNT), outcomes such as cesarean section, macrosomia, birth weight more than 90th percentile, operative vaginal delivery, labor induction, post partum hemorrhage, and shoulder dystocia has been considered while neonatal hypoglycemia, NICU hospitalization and fetal distress were considered for calculating number needed to harm (NNH). To calculate the likelihood of helped versus harmed (LHH), macrosomia and hypoglysmia were selected. Data were analyzed with Wilson score test.

Results: The NNT for above outcomes were 3, -14, -5, 16, -3, 31, and 32, respectively. Among them cesarean section was significance. Calculated NNH for side effects were 6, 15, and -17 which only was significance for neonatal hypoglycemia (p<0.05). The LHH was estimated -0.43.

Conclusion: Considering LHH, it seems that the benefit of insulin in management of gestational diabetes is more than metformin. But with respect to issues such as low sample size of trials, lack of assessment the maternal hypoglysemia as complication of insulin therapy, the findings should be considered cautiously.

Background: There is a relationship between diabetes, dialysis and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was the comparison of structural changes in Hb, oxidative damages in plasma proteins, and antioxidant capacity in diabetic hemodialysis patients with those of control subjects.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, blood samples obtained from diabetic hemodialysis patients and control group. Oxidative damages in plasma proteins were determined by carbonyl assay and antioxidant power of plasma was performed by FRAP assay. Conformational changes in Hb were detected by spectrophotometric analysis. Blood glucose, urea, creatinine and uric acid in patients were determined usnig routine laboratory methods. Statistical analysis were performed by using regression analysis and t-test in SPSS20 software.

Results: This study showed a significant correlation between carbonyl content of plasma proteins and optical density of Hb at 630 and 275 nm which corresponds to structural changes in Hb. ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), as an index of total antioxidant capacity of plasma was found to be enhanced significantly in diabetic patients receiving hemodialysis (from 1019.62±129 to 1354.54±129 molare, p<0.05).

Conclusion: The results obtained in the present study showed that inducible factors in diabetic hemodialysis patients contribute to plasma antioxidant activity and probably responsible for prevention of carbonyl formation and oxidative damages in hemoglobin.

Background: Environmental signals have a crucial role in development of brain’s structure and function during critical period of brain development. Gt was valuated the devebpmental effeck in developmental effect of visual deprivation on synaptic plasticity of Dentate Gyrus neurons was evaluated.

Materials and Methods: This experimental study was carried on 2 groups (n=48) rats kept in standard 12-hour light/dark condition (Light Reared-LR) or in complete darkness (Dark Reared-DR) since birth throughout the study. Each group, in turn, was divided into 3 groups of 2, 6 and 10 weeks old subgroup (n=8 for each). Stimulating the perforant path, field potentials were recorded in the Dentate Gyrus area for 30 minutes. Then, the tetanic stimulation was applied to the Schaffer collaterals and the field potentials were pooled for 120 minutes post-tetanus in all animals.

Results: The basic responses of the LR animals decreased and the amplitude of the DR rats increased, across aging. After the LTP induction, amplitude of responses increased in all groups but the amount and stability of them were lower dark reared in animals than the LR ones.

Conclusion: Change in environmental visual signals impairs basic response and LTP induction in neurons of Dentate Gyrus area of hippocampus.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance with first dignosis during pregnancy. There is some evidence indicating that chemerin play a role in the development of GDM. In this study, for the first time, a possible association of rs17173608 polymorphism in the chemerin gene with the risk of GDM in Arak population was investigated.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 120 GDM and 150 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance were selected. GDM was confirmed by oral glucose tolerance according to the new IADPSG criteria. Genomic DNA was extracted from EDTA treated whole blood. The polymorphism of chemerin gene was determined using tetra-amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR).

Results: The genotype frequencies of  TT, GT and GG at rs17173608 were respectively 81.7%, 17.5% and 0.8% in the GDM group and 73.3%, 25.3% and 1.3% in the control group. There were no statistical differences in genotype frequencies between case group and the control group. Also, allele frequencies in the GDM group  (T 90.4% , G 9.6%), did not differ significantly from the control group ( T 96% ,G 14%). No association was found between genotype frequencies and FBS, 1h, 2 h and BMI.

Conclusion: The present study show that the rs17173608 polymorphism in the chemerin gene is not associated with the development of glucose intolerance and GDM in the studied population.

Background: Statins are the most effective drugs for treatment of elevated level of cholesterol. In addition, they exhibit other effects unrelated to their lipid lowering effects (pleiotropic actions). In recent years, experimental and clinical evidences demonstrate that statins exert anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study is evaluation of association Atorvastatin in reduction of peak threshold in patients with permanent pacemaker.

Materials and Methods: In these clinical trial 64 eligible patients that candidate for permanent pacemaker enrolled. After in formed consent patients randomly divided to two equal groups. In first group atorvastatin 20 mg/daily administered orally for six weeks and second group considered as control. Peak atrial and ventricular threshold were measured in beginning of study and in sixth week. The data collected and analyzed and p<0.05 considered statistically meaning full.

Results: from 32 subjects in Atorvastatin group 17 (53.12%) were male and 15(46.87%) were female. Average mean age in Atorvastatin and control group was 72.43±17.27 and 68.59 ±10.98 years, respectively. No difference showed in atrial and ventricular threshold in two groups at beginning of study. At end of study atrial threshold in atorvastatin and control group were 0.55±0.23 and 0.45±0.19 respectively (p=0.4) and ventricular threshold in atorvastatin and and control group were 0.73±0.23 (p=0.4).

Conclusion: There is no association between atorvastatin therapy and reduction in pacemaker peak arterial and ventricular threshold.

Background: The current study aims to investigate the impact of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on serum levels of CK and LDH as the muscle damage indicators and on Gelatinase-A (MMP-2) serum levels as the tissae inflammatory marker among young sedentary girls.

Materials and Methods: For this quasi-experimental study, 14 sedentary female college students were selected and randomly divided into two groups including the exercise HIIT group (means and standard deviations of age: 21.28 ± 2.56 (years)  weight:52.86 ±4.95 (kg) and height: 163.1±3.7 (cm)) and the control group (means and standard deviations of age: 20.25 ±7.50 (years) weight:52.64 ±3.67 (kg) and height: 162.4±4.5 (cm)). The experimental group performed six repetitions of one-minute runs at 90%- 95% of HRmax. The blood samples were collected before and 30 minutes after the exercise protocol. The serum CK, LDH and MMP-2 levels were measured using corresponding kits. The data were analyzed through the independent t-test at the significance level of 0.05 (p<0.05).

Results: After collecting and analyzing Data, the results showed that CK and LDH levels increased significantly after performing HIIT, while there was no significant change in MMP-2 due to the HIIT.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the HIIT protocol will lead to an increase in some indicators of muscle damage such as CK, LDH, and that no significant changes could be observed for MMP-2 as the body's inflammation response.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases is one of the most prevalent causes of mortality in all around the world accounting for high rates of decrease of physical function and daily work. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of cardiac rehabilitation on quality of life dimensions Percutanous Coronary Intervention (PCI) patients.

Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 96 patients in the rehabilitation unit in Qom. Half of patients put in the test group and the others remained as control. Data of all patients including of demographic parameter and questionnaire of quality of life before and after rehabilitation (in case and control groups) were collected. Data analysis was done in SPSS 18 by central statistical indices and frequency distribution as well as independent t-test, pair t-test ans Chi-square and p-value below than 0.05 was significant.

Results: out of 96 patients, the mean age was 57.21±9.09 and 57.3± 10.89 years in case and control groups respectively and 70.8% were male and remains were female. There was significant relationship between quality of life and its subtypes except physical function (p<0.001). Moreover, difference between quality of life and six out of eight subtypes scores before and after rehabilitation in both groups was significant.

Conclusion: It seems that cardiac rehabilitation after PCI affects quality of life.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a various collection of heart diseases with autosomal dominant inheritance affecting 0.2% of the global population. HCM is also the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in individuals younger than 35 years old. Approximately, 40% of affected cases are associated with MYBPC3 gene. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible presence of mutation in 15 and 18 exons of MYBPC3 gene in patients with HCM in Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiyari province.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 HCM patients were selected. DNA was extracted using standard phenol-chloroform method. Certain exons were amplified by PCR method. And then, SSCP and HA methods were run.

Results: Significant differences were observed between the positive control samples and other samples. However, there were no difference in studied exons or shift in the bands.

Conclusion: Mutations in the exons of MYBPC3 gene may cause the HCM disease, and change in other exons may be the causative agent in this geographical region and change in this studied exons may not have contributed to the HCM disease. However, it is necessary to study more patients for getting a better conclusion.

Background: Streptokinase is one of the most common and cost effective fibrinolytic drugs for treatment of heart attacks and vein thrombosis. Unlike many advantages over other thrombolytic drugs, administration of streptokinase can produce some complications such as immunologic reactions, hemorrhage and incomplete treatment due to relative short half life. Pegylation is one of the most common methods for improving of these shortcomings.

Materials and Methods: In this study, designing a proper candidate for specific pegylation with cysteine was done by means of SPDBviewer software. After a meaning ful mutation by SOEing PCR method, mutated (sk45cys) and intact SK (ski) genes were cloned in pET26-b vector and the structures were transformed in E.coli. Clones, Afrer growing, were expressed by IpTG and exptression of proteins was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting. The proteins were purified by affinity chromatography with NiNTA columns and amidolytic activity of purified proteins was assayed using chromogenic method and different concentrations of S2251 substrate.

Results: Results of activity assays showed that amidolytic activity of SK45cys had about 10% increase in comparison to Ski, after 30 minutes of complex formation with plasminogen.

Conclusion: Generally, it was concluded that, considering cys45 as a superficial aminoacid and also relative increase of activity, SK45cys can be considered a suitable protein for specific pegylation.

Background: Nef is one of the HIV-1 critical proteins, because it is essential for viral replication and AIDS disease progression and induction of immune response against it can partially inhibit viral infection. Moreover, a domain of the HIV-1 Trans-Activator of Transcription (Tat, 48-60 aa) could act as a cell penetrating peptide (CPP). In current study, cloning and expression of Tat-Nef fusion protein was performed in E. coli for the first time. The protein expression was confirmed by western blot analysis and was purified using reverse staining method.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, primarily, cloning of Tat-Nef fusion gene was done in pGEX6p2 expression vector. Then, the expression of Tat-Nef recombinat protein in E.coli BL21 (DE3) strain was performed by using IPTG inducer. The protein expression was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting using anti-Nef monoclonal antibody. Then, the recombinant fusion protein was purified from gel using reverse staining method.

Results: The results of PCR analysis and enzyme digestion showed a clear band of ~ 726 bp in agarose gel indicating the correct Tat-Nef fusion cloning in pGEX6p2 prokaryotic expression vector. In addition, a 54 kDa band of Tat-Nef on SDS-PAGE revealed Tat-Nef protein expression that western blot analysis using anti-Nef monoclonal antibody confirmed it.

Conclusion: The purified Tat-Nef recombinant fusion protein will be used as an antigen for protein vaccine design against HIV infection.

Background: Few studies have examined the effects of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation on metabolic profiles in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).This study was conducted to determine the effects of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation on metabolic profiles among overweight women with PCOS.

Materials and Methods: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 104 overweight and obess women with PCOS. Participants were randomly assigned into four groups to receive: 1) 1000 mg/d calcium+ vitamin D placebo; 2) 50000 IU/weeks vitamin D; 3) 1000 mg calcium/d and 4) calcium placebo + vitamin D placebo for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 8 weeks intervention to measure metabolic profiles.

Results: After administrating calcium plus vitamin D supplementation, a significant decrease was observed in serum insulin (-3.3±11.4 vs.-1.1±8.5, -1.4±3.0 and +3.1±6.1 µIU/ml, p=0.03), insulin resistance (-0.7±2.4 vs.-0.3±2.5, -0.2±0.6 and +0.8±1.9, p=0.04), malondialdehyde (-0.6±0.3 vs.-0.1±0.2, -0.5±0.2 and +0.6±0.4 µmol/L, p=0.009) and a significant rise was seen in total antioxidant capacity (+35.2±21.7 vs.+22.5±37.7, +21.1±34.1 and -153.8±65.2 mmol/L, p=0.006) and glutathione (+216.0±79.3 vs.-47.5±60.2, +3.9±31.3 and -160.8±82.9 µmol/L, p=0.001) compared with vitamin D, calcium and placebo groups.

Conclusion: In conclusion, calcium plus vitamin D supplementation for eight weeks among women with PCOS had beneficial effects on metabolic profiles.

Background: High intensity training can lead to lower the appetite. So, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of folate supplementation on ghrelin level of stomach and insulin level of serum in male wistar rats during 10 weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT).

Materials and Methods: Twenty seven male Wistar rats (weight= 203.94±27.34 gr, Age: 9 weeks) after one week familiarization, were randomly divided into four groups: control (n=6), folate supplementation (n=6), (HIIT) (n=7) and HIIT+ folate supplement (n=8). HIIT training protocol started with 30 m/min running on treadmill for 1 min with 10 reps and 2 min active rest at the first week and reached to 75-80 m/min for 1 min with 7 reps and 3 min active rest at last 3 weeks. Acylated ghrelin level of stomach tissue and serum level of insulin were assayed by ELISA kit.

Results: The results of Kruskal-vallis analysis showed that the ghrelin level of stomach was increased significantly (p=0.001) in folate+HIIT in compare with HIIT group. Also, insulin level of serum was decreased significantly (p=0.001) in folate +HIIT in compare with control and HIIT groups.

Conclusion: Based on our results, folate supplementation during high intensity interval training, increased the ghrelin of stomach and decreased the insulin level of serum. So, it seems that folate supplementation can prevent from losing appetite in athletes who train with high intensity training with interval type.

Background: Azoospermia is defined as the absence of sperm in the semen and is divided in two types; obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia. Non-obstructive azoospermia include approximately 60% of azoospermia patients. Several genetic and environmental factors can be involved in the development of non-obstructive azoospermia. Until now, several genes have been introduced as the causing factor of the azoospermia that are involved in spermatogenesis and testicular development. These genes are located on Y and/or autosome chromosomes .The aim of the present study was to investigate Y chromosome microdeletions and STAG3 gene mutations in Iranian males with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Materials and Methods: In this study, peripheral blood samples were obtained from 122 men with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia and 100 Normo-sperm men who had at least one child and DNA was extracted. Samples were investigated for the presence of Y chromosome microdeletions by Multiplex PCR. Then, existence of probable mutations in exon 7 of STAG3 gene was investigated using MSSCP (multi-temperature single-strand conformational polymorphism) method.

Results: 13 patients (10.66%) had Y chromosome microdeletions, but none of the subjects showed mutation in exon 7 of STAG3 gene. The Y chromosome microdeletions were found in none of the control individuals.

Conclusion: The results showed that Y chromosome microdeletions are the most important cause of non-obstructive azoospermia and should be considered as the main candidate for male infertility diagnostic tests. Mutations in the STAG3 gene are not common among non-obstructive azoospermia patients.

Background: Individual differences, especially gender, have an important role on individuals responds to the emotions. In cognitive science investigations, the analysis of biological signals has been introduced as a confident way to evaluate such responses. In this paper, by adopting a comprehensive approach on biomedical signal processing techniques, a precise examination on women and men differences in affective responses has been provided into different emotional stimuli, including fear, sadness, happiness, and peacefulness.

Materials and Methods: Accordingly, signal processing methods were divided into three general categories, linear, wavelet, and non-linear based techniques. In the proposed method, different features from each of three categories and from three autonomic signals, including electrocardiogram (ECG), finger pulse, and galvanic skin response (GSR), were extracted. To induce emotions in participants, validated emotional pieces of music were broadcast in four affective classes.

Results: The results indicate the different patterns of responses into affective incentives in women and men. The differences were more noticeable in the features of pulse signal than those of the other signals. Among emotional classes, fear resulted in the highest rate of distinction between men and women emotional responses.

Conclusion: By the comprehensive evaluation of autonomic signals and different signal processing techniques, this study has tried to offer a new insight for better understanding of gender differences in emotional responses. In addition, it will help the researchers to adopt appropriate decisions in identifying efficient processing approach to deal with large amount of information achieved from signal analysis.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major nosocomial pathogen that due to its intrinsic and acquired resistance to a wide spectrum of antibiotics poses a threat in clinical settings. One of the drug resistance mechanisms in P. aeruginosa is mutation in negative regulators of efflux pump systems such as nalC. The aim of this study was investigation of nalC mutations in P. aeruginosa isolates from some Rasht hospitals and Lahijan laboratories.  

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, forty-five P. aeruginosa strains was isolated from several Rasht hospitals and Lahijan laboratories between 2013 to 2014 and identified by biochemical tests. The antibiotic resistance and susceptibility of isolates was determined by Kirby Bauer method and microdilution method. Then PCR-sequencing was carried out to assess nalC mutations in ciprofloxacin resistant isolates.

Results: In this study, the most P. aeruginosa strains was isolated from urine sample (53%), followed by burned strains (31%). The most resistance was seen to erythromycin (100%) and the lowest resistance was seen to ciprofloxacin (~31 %). The highest MIC of ciprofloxacin was determined in some strains >512 μg/ml. Sequencing results showed that 12 ciprofloxacin resistant isolates had one or several missense mutations G71E, S209R and  E153Q in nalC gene.

Conclusion: Given that mutation was defined in most isolates in this study, it seems that mutation in nalC gene plays an important role in ciprofloxacin resistance of nosocomial P. aeruginosa isolates in Guilan province.

Background:  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training with different intensities on serum myostatin and follistatin levels in sedentary young women.

Materials and Methods: In this practical and semi experimental study, 24 sedentary young women with range of 20-30 years and BMI 22-25 kg/m² were selected by convenience sampling. Then, the volunteers were randomly assigned into two groups, [resistance training group with low intensity (40-60% of one repetition maximum) and high intensity (70-90% of one repetition maximum)]. The training protocols included: 8 weeks, 3 times a week. Blood samples (5cc) were obtained at baseline and 48 hours after at the end of the study; Also Serum levels of myostatin and follistatin were measured by ELISA methods. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance of repeated measures test by SPSS at the significant level (p<0.05).

Results: There was a significant increase in the levels of follistatin and follistatin to myostatin ratio in high intensity group (p≤0.05). Also there was a significant decrease in the levels of myostatin in high intensity group (p≤0.05); however, there was no significant change in the levels of follistatin, myostatin and follistatin to myostatin ratio in low intensity group (p≥0.05). Also there was no significant change in these variables in high intensity group compared to low intensity group (p≥0.05).

Conclusion: It’s seems that the activation of important myogenic and myostatic factors in sedentary young women need to do high intensity resistance training.

Abstract

Background: We are aware of no study evaluating the effects of zinc supplementation on metabolic profiles of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc supplementation on glucose homeostasis parameters in PCOS women.

Materials and Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 52 women diagnosed with PCOS and aged 18-40 years old. Participants were randomly divided into two groups to receive 220 mg zinc sulfate (containing 50 mg zinc) supplements (n=26) or placebo (n=26) per day for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention to quantify glucose and insulin.

Results: After 8 weeks of intervention, zinc-supplemented patients had reduced fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (-4.3±9.6 vs. +0.5±6.0 mg/dL, p=0.03), serum insulin (-3.0 ± 2.9 vs. + 1.5 ± 8.4 µIU/ml, p=0.01), serum triglycerides levels (-15.6±40.3 vs. +14.5±25.3 mg/dL, p=0.002) and a significant increase in insulin sensitivity (+0.02±0.02 vs. -0.004±0.05, p=0.03) compared with the placebo.

Conclusion: Taken together, 220 mg zinc sulfate supplementation per day for 8 weeks among PCOS women had beneficial effects on metabolic profiles.