The aim of the study was to investigate the antidiabetic effect of the traditional Vietnamese herb Gynostemma pentaphyllum in 24 drug-naïve type 2 diabetic patients. All patients were randomized to authenticated Gynostemma pentaphyllum tea or placebo tea, 6 g daily, during twelve weeks and received information regarding diet and exercise. Fasting plasma glucose, insulin levels, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1C)) were measured before, during, and after the treatment. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed every four weeks. After 12-week treatment, fasting plasma glucose levels totally decreased to an extent of 3.0+/-1.8 mmol/l in the Gynostemma pentaphyllum tea group as compared to a decrease of 0.6+/-2.2 mmol/l in the control group (p<0.01). HbA(1C) levels after 12 weeks decreased approximately 2% units in the Gynostemma pentaphyllum group compared to 0.2% unit in the controls (p<0.001). Change in Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance between baseline and twelfth week indicated that insulin resistance decreased significantly in the Gynostemma pentaphyllum group (-2.1+/-3.0) compared with that (+1.1+/-3.3) in the control group (p<0.05). There were no hypoglycemias, or adverse effects regarding kidney and liver parameters or gastrointestinal function. In addition, lipid profiles, glucagon, cortisol levels, body measurements, and blood pressure were not different between the groups. This study shows a prompt improvement of glycemia and insulin sensitivity, and thereby provides a basis for a novel, effective, and safe approach, using Gynostemma pentaphyllum tea, to treat type 2 diabetic patients.

Aims. To evaluate the effect of the traditional Vietnamese herb Gynostemma pentaphyllum tea on insulin sensitivity in drug-naïve type 2 diabetic patients. Methods. Patients received GP or placebo tea 6 g daily for four weeks and vice versa with a 2-week wash-out period. At the end of each period, a somatostatin-insulin-glucose infusion test (SIGIT) was performed to evaluate the insulin sensitivity. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1C, and oral glucose tolerance tests and insulin levels were measured before, during, and after the treatment. Results. FPG and steady-state plasma glucose (SIGIT mean) were lower after GP treatment compared to placebo treatment (P < 0.001). The levels of FPG in the control group were slightly reduced to 0.2 ± 1.5 versus 1.9 ± 1.0 mmol/L in GP group (P < 0.001), and the effect on FPG was reversed after exchanging treatments. The glycometabolic improvements were achieved without any major change of circulating insulin levels. There were no changes in lipids, body measurements, blood pressure, and no reported hypoglycemias or acute adverse effects regarding kidney and liver parameters. Conclusion. The results of this study suggested that the GP tea exerted antidiabetic effect by improving insulin sensitivity.

BackgroundDespite the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes in urban areas, relatively little has been known about its actual prevalence and its associations in rural areas, Vietnam. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), diabetes and their risk factors in a rural province, Vietnam.MethodsA cross–sectional study with a representative sample was designed to estimate the hyperglycemia prevalence, using 75–g oral glucose tolerance test. Potential risk factors for hyperglycemia were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression, taken into account influences of socio–economic status, anthropometric measures, and lifestyle–related factors.ResultsThe age and sex–adjusted prevalence rates (95% CI) of isolated IFG, isolated IGT, combined IFG–IGT, and diabetes were 8.7 (7.0–10.5), 4.3 (3.2−5.4), 1.6 (0.9−2.3), and 3.7% (2.7–4.7%), respectively. There were still 73% of diabetic subjects without knowing the condition. Blood pressure, family history of diabetes, obesity–related measures (waist circumference, waist–hip ratio, body fat percentage, and abdominal obesity) were the independent risk factors for hyperglycemia (IFG, IGT, and diabetes).ConclusionsThe prevalence of hyperglycemia in rural areas has not been as sharply increased as that reported in urban cities, Vietnam. Blood pressure and obesity–related measures were the most significant predictors for hyperglycemia level and they can be taken into account in building prognosis models to early detection of diabetes in rural Vietnamese populations.

Aims. To investigate the antidiabetic effect of the traditional Vietnamese herb Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP) together with sulfonylurea (SU) in 25 drug-naïve type 2 diabetic patients. Methods. After 4-week treatment with gliclazide (SU), 30 mg daily, all patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups to add on GP extract or placebo extract, 6 g daily, during eight weeks. Results. After 4-week SU treatment, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1C decreased significantly (P < 0.001). FPG was further reduced after add-on therapy with 2.9 ± 1.7 and 0.9 ± 0.6 mmol/L in the GP and placebo groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Therapy with GP extract also reduced 30- and 120-minute oral glucose tolerance test postload values. HbA1C levels decreased approximately 2% units in the GP group compared to 0.7% unit in the placebo group (P < 0.001). Conclusion. GP extract in addition to SU offers an alternative to addition of other oral medication to treat type 2 diabetic patients.

Tăng kali máu là một cấp cứu thường gặp trong hồi sức cấp cứu (HSCC). Chẩn đoán sớmvà điều trị kịp thời sẽ phòng được các rối loạn nhịp tim nguy hiểm. Salbutamol và Insulin cótác dụng điều trị cấp cứu tăng kali máu.Mục tiêu: So sánh kết quả điều trị tăng kali máu bằng Salbutamol và bằng Insulin truyềntĩnh mạch ở bệnh nhân HSCC.Đối tượng và phương pháp: Nghiên cứu tiến cứu, can thiệp điều trị 40 BN tại khoa HSCCcó kali máu ≥ 5,5 mmol/l, chia làm 3 nhóm: nhóm dùng Insulin, nhóm dùng Salbutamol,Salbutamol phối hợp Insulin truyền tĩnh mạch, đánh giá nồng độ kali máu sau 30 phút (T1),60 phút (T2) , 180 phút (T3), 360 phút (T4).Kết quả: Nồng độ kali máu trung bình trước điều trị (T0 ) cao: 6,39 ± 0,68 mmol/l, sau30 phút (T1) giảm rõ rệt còn 5,72 ± 0,98 mmol/l, tiếp tục giảm sau 60 phút (T2) và 180 phútđiều trị (T3) có ý nghĩa thống kê vói p< 0,05. Nồng độ kali máu của nhóm S và I giảm nhiềunhất. Nồng độ kali máu của nhóm I (6,72 ± 0,568mmol/l). Nồng độ kali máu của nhóm S.Kết luận: Nhóm dùng Insulin phối hợp Salbutamol có hiệu quả hạ kali máu và cải thiệnnhịp tim rõ rệt nhất, tiếp đến là nhóm dùng Insulin, nhóm dùng salbutamol đơn thuần kémnhất.Từ khóa: Tăng kali máu, Insulin, Salbutamol.