The effects of gingko biloba extract (EGb 761) on experimental acute pancreatitis.
OBJECTIVE
Acute pancreatitis is an important and fatal disease with high mortality and morbidity. Although the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis is poorly understood, there are many studies that suggest the role for oxygen free radicals (OFRs) in the development of pancreatitis and its complications and show beneficial effects of scavenger treatment. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether Egb761, the standardized extract of gingko biloba, restrains the generation of OFRs and ameliorates the histopathologic findings of acute pancreatitis.


METHODS
Sixty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of the following experimental groups. In early and late pancreatitis and treatment groups, acute pancreatitis was induced by retrograde infusion of 3% sodium taurocholate. In treatment groups, 100 mg/kg Egb 761 was given intraperitoneally (IP) 24 h and immediately before induction of pancreatitis. Sham-operated rats received isotonic saline instead of sodium taurocholate. After observation times of 3.5 and 12 h, the pancreas was removed for light microscopy and determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as a marker for OFRs-induced lipid peroxidation. Serum samples also were obtained for amylase and lipase levels.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in control and sham-operated groups in terms of histopathologic findings and serum enzyme levels. The tissue concentrations of MDA and serum enzyme levels were significantly elevated in early and late treatment groups as compared with the control group. The treatment with Egb 761 caused significant decrease in serum amylase and lipase levels and histopathologic scores as compared with early and late pancreatitis groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Prophylactic application of Egb761 exerts highly beneficial influence on the course of acute pancreatitis, and this seems to be related to the oxygen radical scavenger effect of Egb761.
Zeybek
Nazif
N
Department of Surgery, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. nzeybek@hotmail.com
Gorgulu
Semih
S
Yagci
Gokhan
G
Serdar
Muhittin
M
Simsek
Abdurrahman
A
Kaymakcioglu
Nihat
N
Deveci
Salih
S
Ozcelik
Hakan
H
Tufan
Turgut
T
D000208:Acute Disease; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
D000681:Amylases; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D008049:Lipase; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C063170:Ginkgo biloba extract; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract