Prevention of Selenite-Induced Cataratogenesis by Ginkgo biloba Extract (Egb761) in Wistar Rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether Ginkgo biloba extract retards selenite-induced cataractogenesis in Wistar rat pups.


METHODS
On postpartum day eight, Group I rat pups (n = 12) received an intraperitoneal injection of physiological saline. Groups II and III rat pups (n = 12) received a subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite. Group III also received an intraperitoneal injection of G. biloba extract once daily on postpartum days 9-14. Both eyes of each pup were examined from postpartum day 16 up to day 30. After sacrifice, encapsulated pup lens were analyzed for mean activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase. In addition, the mean concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde were analyzed in samples of lens and serum.


RESULTS
Dense lenticular opacification occurs 100% in Group II, but only minimal opacification occurs in three pups of Group III (25%), no opacification in 75% of Group III, none in Group I. Compared with Groups I and III, Group II rat showed lower lenticular antioxidant enzyme activity, lower level of GSH, and higher level of malondidehyde (mean ± standard deviation SD, p < 0.05 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment with G. biloba extract is effective against oxidative stress - a crucial factor of cataractogenesis in rat pups, possibly by preventing depletion of antioxidant enzymes and by inhibiting lipid peroxidation.
a Beijing Tong Ren Hospital, Capital Medical University , Beijing , People's Republic of China .|b Capital Medical University School of Rehabilitation Medicine, China Rehabilitation Research Center , Beijing , People's Republic of China and.
Shuqin
S
Cao
c Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , People's Republic of China.
Mei
M
Gao
a Beijing Tong Ren Hospital, Capital Medical University , Beijing , People's Republic of China .
Ningli
N
Wang
b Capital Medical University School of Rehabilitation Medicine, China Rehabilitation Research Center , Beijing , People's Republic of China and.
Na
N
Liu
c Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , People's Republic of China.
Guanhua
G
Du
b Capital Medical University School of Rehabilitation Medicine, China Rehabilitation Research Center , Beijing , People's Republic of China and.
Jianmin
J
Lu
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects*; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018038:Sodium Selenite / Q000633:toxicity*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
D000975:Antioxidants; D002374:Catalase; D005978:Glutathione; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D010936:Plant Extracts; D018038:Sodium Selenite; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; C063170:Ginkgo biloba extract; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
Antioxidant enzymes; Ginkgo biloba extract; cataract; free radicals; oxidative stress; selenite