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The effect of Korean Red Ginseng on sarcopenia biomarkers in type 2 diabetes patients.

  • 2020-09
  • Archives of gerontology and geriatrics 90
    • Kahui Park
    • Chul Woo Ahn
    • YuSik Kim
    • Ji Sun Nam

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
middle and old age diabetes patients
Methods
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial; participants took corresponding tablets for 24 weeks
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
24 weeks
Funding
Unclear

Background

The elderly population is growing rapidly worldwide and sarcopenia, which is considered as a new geriatric syndrome has become an important issue. In particular, diabetes is known to be an important risk factor for sarcopenia. In this study, we investigated the effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on biomarkers of sarcopenia in middle and old age diabetes patients.

Patients and methods

This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants were randomly allocated to either the placebo or KRG group and took corresponding tablets for 24 weeks. The primary outcomes were changes in sarcopenia biomarkers at week 24. Secondary outcomes were changes in inflammatory and antioxidant markers and lean body mass at week 24.

Results

Fifty-nine patients completed the study. Follistatin and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were significantly improved in KRG group. In the subgroup analysis, female postmenopausal patients over the age of 55 showed a significant improvement in serum SHBG, follistatin, and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) and an attenuated reduction in Troponin T (TNT) after the administration of KRG.

Conclusion

Twenty-four week administration of KRG in diabetes patients resulted in a significant improvement in follistatin and SHBG levels, especially in old postmenopausal women. A further, larger population study with a longer follow-up period is warranted to verify and understand the effects of KRG on sarcopenia.

Research Insights

  • Red Ginseng→Improved Follistatin Level

    Follistatin and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were significantly improved in KRG group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Red Ginseng→Improved GDF-15 Level

    In the subgroup analysis, female postmenopausal patients over the age of 55 showed a significant improvement in serum SHBG, follistatin, and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) and an attenuated reduction in Troponin T (TNT) after the administration of KRG.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Red Ginseng→Improved SHBG Level

    Follistatin and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were significantly improved in KRG group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Red Ginseng→Improved Troponin T Level

    In the subgroup analysis, female postmenopausal patients over the age of 55 showed a significant improvement in serum SHBG, follistatin, and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) and an attenuated reduction in Troponin T (TNT) after the administration of KRG.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
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