The influence of Ginkgo Biloba extract on brain-derived neurotrophic factor after cerebral ischemia in rats

Objective To observe the influence of Ginkgo Biloba extract (GBE) on expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) after focal cerebral ischemia in rats,and to study the relationship between ischemic neuronal plasticity and GBE. Methods Animal model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. BDNF positive neurons number in GBE treated group and cerebral ischemic group in different time was determined with method of immunohistochemistry,and the picture analysis was measured. Results Both GBE treated group and cerebral ischemic group the BDNF positive neurons diappeared in the center of necrotic areas,but the BDNF positive neurons obviously increased around the necrotic areas. The expression levels of BDNF in GBE treated groups were higher than those in cerebral-ischemic groups,but they were same shapes of cell in those groups. Conclusion GBE increased the expression level of BDNF around the necrotic area after cerebral ischemia in rats. These changes promoted the ischemic neuron to revive and become more plastic.