NADPH-diaphorase activity in the spinal cord after ischemic injury and the effects of pretreatment with Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761)

• Published in: Acta histochemica Vol. 104; no. 4; pp. 427 - 430
• Main Authors: Mechirova, Eva, Domorakova, Iveta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Elsevier GmbH 01.01.2002; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Animals; Free Radical Scavengers - therapeutic use; Ginkgo biloba; Ginkgo biloba extract; Histocytochemistry; ischemia-reperfusion; Lumbosacral Region; Male; NADPH Dehydrogenase - metabolism; NADPH-diaphorase; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; rabbit; Rabbits; Reperfusion Injury - enzymology; Reperfusion Injury - pathology; Reperfusion Injury - prevention & control; spinal cord; Spinal Cord - drug effects; Spinal Cord - enzymology; Spinal Cord - pathology; Treatment Outcome; spinal cord; ischemia-reperfusion; NADPH-diaphorase; Ginkgo biloba extract; rabbit
• ISSN: 0065-1281; 1618-0372
• DOI: 10.1078/0065-1281-00662

Histochemical analysis of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity was performed on segments of the lumbar spinal cord in rabbit after 7 days pretreatment with the Ginkgo biloba extract Tanakan, and 30 min of ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion. In sections of the L5 segment of the spinal cord of untreated controls, NADPH-d-positive neurons were identified in the dorsal horns, in the pericentral region and occasionally in the ventral horns. The rabbits were completely paraplegic after 30 min of ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion. High NADPH-d activity was found in the wall of blood vessels in sections of the L5 segment and the numbers of NADPH-d-positive neurons in all sites was moderately elevated. After 7 days of Tanakan pretreatment, 30 min of ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion, the animals did not show paraplegia. Only a light tremor of the hind limbs was observed. NADPH-d activity in blood vessels and neurons was similar to that in controls. In the dorsal horns, NADPH-d positivity in neurons and fibres was increased. Our results indicate that Tanakan can scavenge free radicals produced during ischemia/reperfusion and may reduce reperfusion damage.