Background: Korea red ginseng (KRG) has anti-carcinogenic activity, anti-oxidant activity, and cancer related anti-fatigue. Methods: Seventy five patients with non-alcoholic hepatitis were prospectively randomized to receive 3 weeks of KRG or placebo. Liver function test, pro-inflammatory cytokines, adiponectin, fatigue severity scale, and antioxidant activity were check and compared.
Fatigue Severity Scale We used to be KRUPP's fatigue severity scale. The survey has nine questions as following: (1) my motivation is lower, when I am fatigued (2) exercise brings on my fatigue (3) I am easily fatigued (4) fatigue interferes with my physical functioning (5) fatigue causes frequent problems for me (6) my fatigue prevents sustained physical functioning (7) fatigue interferes with carrying out certain duties and responsibilities (8) fatigue is among my 3 most disabling symptoms (9) fatigue interferes with my work, family, or social life. All subjects scored each question on a 7-point scale (1 = strongly disagree to 4 = neither disagree nor agree to 7 = strongly agree). All fatigue severity scale calculated and collected by one research nurse (C.W.K) in the Department of Internal Medicine.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
75
3 weeks of KRG capsule (3,000 mg/day)
Placebos with same shape and size were manufactured and at Korea Ginseng Corporation
Liver Enzymes
aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase
Time frame: 3 weeks of KRG
Fatigue as Measured by KRUPP's Fatigue Severity Scale
KRUPP's fatigue severity scale. The survey has nine questions as following: 1. my motivation is lower, when I am fatigued 2. exercise brings on my fatigue 3. I am easily fatigued 4. fatigue interferes with my physical functioning 5. fatigue causes frequent problems for me 6. my fatigue prevents sustained physical functioning 7. fatigue interferes with carrying out certain duties and responsibilities 8. fatigue is among my 3 most disabling symptoms 9. fatigue interferes with my work, family, or social life. All subjects scored each question on a 7-point scale (1 = strongly disagree to 4 = neither disagree nor agree to 7 = strongly agree). Scores range from 9 to 63, with higher scores indicating higher fatigue
Time frame: 3 weeks of KRG
Pro-inflammatory Cytokine
tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6
Time frame: 3 weeks of KRG
Adiponectin
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Time frame: 3 weeks of KRG
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