Background: The atherogenic index of serum (AIS), defined as a logarithm [log] of the ratio of serum concentration of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, has recently been proposed as a predictive marker for serum atherogenicity and is positively correlated with the cardiovascular disease risk. Also, the nutrient zinc has been previously shown to reduce insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in patients with metabolic disease such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Materials and Methods: Sixty women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were randomly divided into two groups to receive 50mg of zinc as zinc sulphate or placebo for 8 weeks, as an adjunct to their pre-study oral estrogen-progestin compounds therapy. Measurements of blood lipids (including ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol), systolic-and diastolic blood pressure, serum zinc and anthropometric indices and dietary intake were determined at the baseline and after 8 weeks.

Results: At the end of the study, the zinc group had a significantly lower AIS compared to the placebo group (P<0.05). A significant difference was seen in triglyceride level (P<0.02) and the ratio of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to HDL cholesterol (P<0.05) between the groups at the final visit. In the zinc group, the changes in serum zinc levels were inversely correlated with the change in AIS (P<0.05). Moreover, in the zinc group, ratios of total to HDL cholesterol, LDL to HDL cholesterol, and non-HDL to HDL cholesterol were significantly decreased.

Conclusion: Zinc supplementation may be a valuable nutritional adjuvant therapy to reduce AIS in people with PCOS.