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

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that is related to impaired gut microbiota (GM) composition and sleep disorders. Zinc and probiotics play key roles in gut barrier integrity maintenance and microbiota modulation. Therefore, the current study investigated the effect of zinc and probiotic co-supplementation on oxidative stress biomarkers and sleep quality in IBS patients.

In this parallel, randomized clinical trial, 84 participants with IBS were randomly allocated to three groups and received: 1- a zinc gluconate tablet (20 mg elemental zinc) and a probiotic placebo; 2- a zinc gluconate tablet and a probiotic capsule; 3- two placebos for a period of 90 days. After 10-12 h overnight fasting, serum zinc, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as well as sleep quality were assessed by validated methods. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was also calculated.