Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of zinc and omega‑3 supplements as 
adjunctive drugs in the treatment of attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) of children.
Methods: This study is a randomized, double‑blind clinical trial conducted on 150 
children aged 6–15 years old that diagnosed as new cases of ADHD. Study subjects 
were evaluated for 8 weeks. Besides of drug of choice (methylphenidate) for the ADHD, 
patients received placebo in the control group (n = 50), zinc sulfate in second group 
(n = 50), and omega‑3 (n = 50) in third group. Clinical improvement was checking 
by Conners’ Parent and Teacher Rating Scales before and in 2nd, 4th, and 8th week of 
treatment. Results were analyzed with SPSS version 16 software.
Findings: In this study, mean scores of Conners’ scale showed significant improvement 
during treatment in the zinc group compared to control group in children that affected 
to attention‑deficit disorder subtype of ADHD (P = 0.02). Moreover, in omega‑3 group, 
better clinical response was seen than other groups (P < 0.05). However, there was no 
significant difference between omega‑3 group compared to placebo group in the mean 
scores of Conners’ scale (P = 0.89).
Conclusion: Zinc supplementation accompanied by the main treatment significantly 
improves symptom of attention‑deficit disorder subtype of ADHD. However, omega‑3 
supplementation was superior to zinc and placebo in the clinical improvement of ADHD.

Abstract Objective: Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are two major risk factors for cardiovascular disease 
in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. This study was designed to investigate 
the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on blood pressure (BP) and serum lipids in CAPD patients.
Methods: This study was a randomized double‑blind clinical trial in which 90 CAPD patients 
were randomly assigned to either the omega‑3 or the placebo group. Patients in omega‑3 
group received 3 g/day omega‑3 for 8 weeks, whereas patients in the control group received 
placebo. At baseline and at the end of 8 weeks, the patients’ BP was controlled, and serum 
biochemistry was measured.
Findings: Mean systolic BP decreased (–22.2 ± 14.2 mmHg) in the omega‑3 group at the end 
of the study while in the placebo group increased (+0.5 ± 30.2 mmHg) (P < 0.0001). Mean 
diastolic BP of the omega‑3 group decreased more (–11.95 ± 11.9 mmHg) comparing with 
the placebo group (–1.1 ± 17.3 mmHg) (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences 
between the two groups in mean changes in serum triglyceride, and total, high‑density 
lipoprotein, and low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that omega‑3 reduced BP significantly but 
had no effect on lipid profile in our CAPD patients.