Reducing effects of ginkgo biloba (egb761) extract on skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Abstract

Aim: The restoration of circulation following a period of ischemia results in the release of the metabolites that accumulate in the ischemic tissue into circulation with untoward effects on the organs. Many studies have been conducted to date into the prevention of such ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Ginkgo Biloba extract is known to have antioxidant effects, although there is a lack of data on its effects on a skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion model. The present study investigates the use of Ginkgo biloba extract (egb761) for the reduction of experimentally-induced skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion injury. Material and Methods: A total of 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups as follows: Group 1 (n=8), control group; Group 2 (n=8), limb ischemia model; Group 3 (n=8), ischemia-reperfusion model; and Group 4 (n=8), Ginkgo biloba group. After the models were created in each group, soleus muscle, lung and liver tissues were removed. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured biochemically to demonstrate lipid peroxidation. The percentage of viable cells in the soleus muscle was calculated through a histochemical examination. Results: The comparison of soleus muscle MDA levels revealed no statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Groups 2 and 3, whereas the levels were significantly lower in Group 1 than those in Group 4 (p<0.05). Similarly, there was a significant reduction in Group 4 than in Group 3 (p<0.05). The analysis of lung tissue MDA levels revealed no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2, whereas MDA levels were significantly increased in Group 3 than in Group 1 (p<0.05), while there was no difference between Group 1 and Group 4. The analysis of liver tissue MDA levels showed significantly increased levels in Groups 3 and 4 than in Group 1 (p<0.05). The percentage of viable cells was significantly decreased in Groups 2 and 3 than in Group 1 (p<0.05). There was a significant reduction in Group 4 than in the control group. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that Ginkgo biloba (EGb761) extract may be used to reduce the local and systemic effects occurring after the restoration of blood flow following acute arterial occlusion. There is, however, an apparent need for large-scale, prospective, randomized trials to demonstrate the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba treatment.