Effects of Ginkgo leaf extract on function of dendritic cells and Th1/Th2 cytokines in patients with unstable angina pectoris.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of Ginkgo leaf extract (GLE) on function of dendritic cells (DC) and Th1/Th2 cytokines in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP).


METHODS
Fifty-four patients with UAP were equally assigned into two groups, the treated group and the control group, both treated with conventional Western medicine, but with GLE given additionally to the treated group. Blood of all patients was taken before and 4 weeks after treatment to prepare the peripheral mononuclear cells, then which were incubated in the completed medium containing granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulatory factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) to induce mature DC. The expression of co-stimulating factor CD86 (B7-2) on the surface of DC was detected by flow cytometry, and the stimulating capacity of DC was determined by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). The blood levels of cytokines, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and IL-4, were analyzed by ELISA, and blood C-reactive protein (CRP) level by turbidimetry. Moreover, the direct effect of Ginkgolide B on CD86 expression on DC were also tested in vitro.


RESULTS
After treatment, CD86 expression on DC, the stimulating capacity of DC as well as levels of IFN-gamma and CRP were lowered in both groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but the changes were much more significant in the treated group than those in the control group. Ginkgolide B showed a direct inhibitory effect on the CD86 expression on DC.


CONCLUSIONS
The inhibition of GLE on DC and thereby the suppression on inflammatory reaction may be one of the mechanisms of GLE in treating patients with UAP.
Li
Da-zhu
DZ
Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022. lidazhuhp@sohu.com
Sharma
Ranjit
R
Zeng
Qiu-tang
QT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000276:immunology*; D051940:B7-2 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D046934:Ginkgolides; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000032:analysis*; D007783:Lactones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D004224:Diterpenes; D046934:Ginkgolides; D007783:Lactones; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C045856:ginkgolide B