title: Ginkgo biloba extract protects against alcohol-induced liver injury in rats.
abstract: Ginkgo biloba extract has been shown to be hepatoprotective. However, its benefits when used in alcoholic liver injury have not been demonstrated. This study investigated the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on alcohol-induced liver injury in a chronic alcohol plus fish oil gavage model in rats. Liver injury was evaluated histologically and by serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Liver tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) protein levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) contents were determined. TNF-alpha mRNA expression in the liver was analysed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Rats given fish oil plus alcohol developed macrovesicular and microvesicular steatosis, spotty necrosis and mild inflammation in the liver and elevated serum ALT levels, which were accompanied by increased MDA contents, reduced GSH contents and elevated TNF-alpha protein and mRNA expressions in the liver. Supplementation with Ginkgo biloba extract (200 mg/kg, orally) improved the liver injury, blunted the rises of MDA contents and TNF-alpha expression, and restored the GSH content in the liver. Ginkgo biloba extract protects against alcohol-induced liver injury, and the mechanism may involve a reduction of lipid peroxidation, prevention of GSH depletion and inhibition of TNF-alpha expression in the liver.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China. yuantod@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Guangjin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Zuojiong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Junhua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000431:Ethanol; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000431:Ethanol; D000410:Alanine Transaminase