Effects of Ginkgo biloba Extract on Spinal Cord Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Background: We aimed to assess the biochemical and histopathologic effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) in an ischemia-reperfusion (IR) model of spinal cord ischemia induced by cross-clamping of the infrarenal abdominal aorta. Methods: A total of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups as group 1: control (sham laparotomy), group 2: IR, and group 3: IR + EGb treatment (IR + T) group. All subjects were euthanized 2 days postsurgery and their spinal cords were removed. Tissue malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase levels were measured, and the spinal cord tissue samples were examined histopathologically. Results: No significant difference was detected in ischemia markers between control, IR, and IR + T groups, with the exception of GSH, which was significantly lower in the IR group. GSH levels in group 1 and group 3 were similar. The group 2 displayed significant ischemic damage to the medulla spinalis. This damage was less pronounced in group 3 compared with group 2 only, but in extent and intensity comparable with the controls. Conclusions: Although we were not able to demonstrate a uniform effect of EGb on biochemical markers of IR injury, the histopathologic data appear to show a protective effect conferred on the spinal cord tissue by EGb.