Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on cochlear vasculature in the guinea pig: morphometric measurements and laser Doppler flowmetry.
Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) was administered orally for 4 or 6 weeks to healthy adult guinea pigs. Animals were then decapitated under deep ketamine anesthesia. Post-mortem morphometric measurements of cochlear vessels in the spiral lamina revealed a vasodilating effect of the extract in four of ten animals following 6 weeks of treatment. In vivo testing of the effect of 4 or 6 weeks of treatment with EGb 761 was monitored with laser Doppler flowmetry of the cochlear blood flow under pathological conditions. Results demonstrated that EGb 761 partly counteracted sodium salicylate-induced decreases in cochlear blood flow (CBF) and enhanced CBF increases induced by hypoxia. These findings indicate that EGb 761 may help to improve oxygenation in cochleas with compromised blood flow.
Didier
A
A
Department of Otolaryngology, Kresge Hearing Research Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-0506, USA.
Droy-Lefaix
M T
MT
Aurousseau
C
C
Cazals
Y
Y
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D003051:Cochlea / Q000098:blood supply*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012980:Sodium Salicylate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013137:Spiral Lamina / Q000098:blood supply*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010100:Oxygen; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012980:Sodium Salicylate; C063170:Ginkgo biloba extract; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract