Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract against lysophosphatidylcholine-induced vascular endothelial cell damage.

AIM: To study the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) against endothelial cell damage induced by lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). METHODS: The vasorelaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh) were investigated in the isolated rabbit thoracic aorta. Lipid peroxidation products were determined by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substance. RESULTS: GbE attenuated the inhibition of vasorelaxation response to ACh and prevented the LPC-induced increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) content both in thoracic aortae. GbE prevented the leakage of LDH and the increase of MDA content in cultured endothelial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. GbE also markedly increased epoprostenol level in cultured endothelial cells treated with LPC. CONCLUSION: GbE protected endothelial cells against LPC-induced damage due to reduction in lipid peroxidation and facilitation of synthesis and/or release of epoprostenol.