[Relationship between endothelin-1 and ischemic brain damage after subarachnoid hemorrhage and protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in development of ischemic brain damage after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE).

METHODS

Wistar rat noncraniotomy models of SAH were divided into SAH group and GBE treated group, the diameter of basilar artery (BA) and dynamic changes of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and ET-1 content of intracranial plasma within 24 hours after SAH of both groups were determined. And pathological examination of CA1 region of hippocampus was performed 3 days later.

RESULTS

rCBF decreased and ET-1 content increased obviously and retained in 24 hours after SAH. Spasm of BA occurred half an hour after SAH and neurons of hippocampus CA1 region was damaged severely. GBE could antagonize the above-mentioned pathological changes effectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Increase of ET-1 is an important factor leading to ischemic brain damage after SAH. GBE exerts its protective effect by antagonizing pathological increase of ET-1.