title: Effects of Gingko biloba extract (EGb 761) on vascular smooth muscle cell calcification induced by β-glycerophosphate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of Gingko biloba extract (EGb 761) on calcification induced by β-glycerophosphate in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells were cultured with various concentrations of EGb 761 and β-glycerophosphate for 7 days. Calcium content in the cells, alkaline phosphatase activity, cell protein content, NF-κB activation, and reactive oxygen species production were assayed, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The calcium depositions of vascular smooth muscle cells of the β-glycerophosphate group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.01), and were inhibited by EGb 761 in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Data showed β-glycerophosphate induced the enhanced expression of alkaline phosphatase, up-regulated the NF-κB activity and increased reactive oxygen species production of vascular smooth muscle cells while these decreased when administrated with EGb 761(p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EGb 761 significantly reduced deposition of calcium induced by β-glycerophosphate in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. It not only reduced the deposition of calcium, but also inhibited osteogenic transdifferentiation, which may be associated with decreasing expression of alkaline phosphatase, down-regulating the NF-κB activity, and reducing reactive oxygen species production of vascular smooth muscle cells, and may have the potential to serve as a role for vascular calcification in clinical situations.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Renal Transplantation , Qilu Hospital of Shandong University , Jinan , China ;
authors.forename: En-Gang
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: a Department of Renal Transplantation , Qilu Hospital of Shandong University , Jinan , China ;
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: b Department of Urinary Surgery , Qilu Hospital of Shandong University , Jinan , China.
authors.forename: Zhong-Hua
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D005994:Glycerophosphates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
chemical_list: D005994:Glycerophosphates; D010936:Plant Extracts; C063170:Ginkgo biloba extract; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract; C031463:beta-glycerophosphoric acid
keywords: Gingko biloba extract; hyperphosphatemia; oxidative stress; vascular calcification; vascular smooth muscle cell