title: Ginkgo biloba decreases acute mountain sickness in people ascending to high altitude at Ollagüe (3696 m) in northern Chile.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prophylactic effect of Ginkgo biloba (doses 80 mg/12 h, 24 h before high-altitude ascension and with continued treatment) in preventing acute mountain sickness (AMS) at 3696 m in participants without high-altitude experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six participants who reside at sea level were transported to an altitude of 3696 m (Ollagüe). The participants were divided into 3 groups and received G biloba (n=12) 80 mg/12 h, acetazolamide (n=12) 250 mg/12 h, or placebo (n=12) 24 hours before ascending and during their 3-day stay at high altitude. The Lake Louise Questionnaire constituted the primary outcome measurement at sea level and at 3696 m. A Lake Louise Self-Report Score greater than 3 was indicative of AMS. Oxygen saturation, heart rate, and arterial pressure were taken with each evaluation for AMS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant reduction in AMS was observed in the group that received G biloba (0%, P<.05) comparison with the groups receiving acetazolamide (36%, P<.05) or placebo (54%). No difference was observed in arterial oxygen saturation in the G biloba (92+/-2) vs the acetazolamide (89+/-2) groups. However, a marked increased saturation in arterial oxygen was seen in comparison with the placebo group (84+/-3, P<.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in mean arterial pressure or heart rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides evidence supporting the use of G biloba in the prevention of AMS, demonstrating that 24 hours of pretreatment with G biloba and subsequent maintenance during exposure to high altitude are sufficient to reduce the incidence of AMS in participants with no previous high-altitude experience.
authors: Laboratorio de Fisiología, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo-Chile. fmoraga@ucn.cl
authors: Fernando A
authors: FA
authors: Moraga
authors: Alejandro
authors: A
authors: Flores
authors: Jordi
authors: J
authors: Serra
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Esnaola
authors: Corina
authors: C
authors: Barriento
mesh_terms: D000086:Acetazolamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002677:Chile; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D000086:Acetazolamide