Efficacy Study of Zinc Supplementation on Anemia, Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Hemodialysis Patients

Inclusion Criteria: * Under regular hemodialysis for at least 6 months. * Clinically stable condition as outpatients. * Zinc-deficient patients (plasma Zinc concentrations less than 80 mcg/dl). Exclusion Criteria: * Patients taking any antioxidant supplements including vitamin E, Omega-3 fatty acids, green tea preparations or immunosuppressive medications within 2 months prior to enrollment in the study. * Patients receiving Al hydroxide phosphate binders. * Hospitalization in the previous month before the onset of the trial, or having active infection. * Patients with malabsorption diseases (e.g, Crohn's disease), liver diseases, cancers, mental retardation, dementia or psychiatric illness.