title: NADPH-diaphorase activity in the spinal cord after ischemic injury and the effects of pretreatment with Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761).
abstract: Histochemical analysis of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity was performed on segments of the lumbar spinal cord in rabbit after 7 days pretreatment with the Ginkgo biloba extract Tanakan, and 30 min of ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion. In sections of the L5 segment of the spinal cord of untreated controls, NADPH-d-positive neurons were identified in the dorsal horns, in the pericentral region and occasionally in the ventral horns. The rabbits were completely paraplegic after 30 min of ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion. High NADPH-d activity was found in the wall of blood vessels in sections of the L5 segment and the numbers of NADPH-d-positive neurons in all sites was moderately elevated. After 7 days of Tanakan pretreatment, 30 min of ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion, the animals did not show paraplegia. Only a light tremor of the hind limbs was observed. NADPH-d activity in blood vessels and neurons was similar to that in controls. In the dorsal horns, NADPH-d positivity in neurons and fibres was increased. Our results indicate that Tanakan can scavenge free radicals produced during ischemia/reperfusion and may reduce reperfusion damage.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Safárik University, Department of Histology and Embryology, Kosice, Slovakia. mechir@kosice.upjs.sk
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mechírová
authors.forename: Iveta
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Domoráková
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
chemical_list: D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D010936:Plant Extracts; C063170:Ginkgo biloba extract; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract