Inhibitory effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on vascular endothelial growth factor in rat aortic endothelial cells.
AIM
To study the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) against rat aortic endothelial cells (RAEC) damage induced by lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC).


METHODS
Cell injury were determined by MTT assay and LDH release. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein production from RAEC was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). VEGF mRNA expression was examined by in situ hybridization and dot blot.


RESULTS
GbE 0.01-1 microg/L prevented LPC-induced injury in cultured RAEC in a concentration-dependent manner. Cultured RAEC could express VEGF protein and VEGF mRNA was induced by LPC 5 mg/L. GbE could inhibit the expression of VEGF protein and VEGF mRNA in co-cultured RAEC with LPC.


CONCLUSION
LPC could induce a strong expression of VEGF in RAEC. GbE could protect RAEC against the LPC-induced damage and downregulate VEGF protein and VEGF mRNA expression in cultured RAEC.