The Impact of Zinc Supplementation on Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Opioid Addicts-Withdrawal Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Abstract Background Opioid withdrawal can induce oxidative stress in opioid addicts. This interventional study aimed to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation on the oxidative profile of patients with an opioid withdrawal syndrome. Methods In the current study, 40 patients aged 18 to 65 years with opioid withdrawal syndrome were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups, each with 20 subjects. In addition to standard treatment, the intervention group received 30 mg of zinc daily, while the control group was given a placebo for one month. They were evaluated using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS), and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) for withdrawal symptoms. Moreover, other parameters included catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total thiol groups (TTG), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results The rate of withdrawal symptoms (COWS) was statistically significantly lower in the treated group in comparison to the control group (P < 0.05). In the treatment group, the levels of TAC, CAT, SOD, and GPx increased significantly compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In the treatment group compared to the control group, there was a statistically significant decrease in hs-CRP, MDA, and TNFα (P < 0.05). Conclusions The results revealed that zinc supplementation could effectively reduce withdrawal symptoms by increasing antioxidant activity and reducing the lipid peroxidation index.