Objective: To study the effects of extracts of ginkgo biloba (EGB) on the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and apoptosis in the retina induced by glutamate by intravitreal injection in adult rabbit.
Method: The model of apoptosis in retina induced by glutamate by intravitreal injection was established in adult rabbit and EGB was retrobulbarly injected. The levels of NO were measured by spectrophotometer. Retina DNA fragmentation was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis.
Result: The levels of NO in retina in experiment groups were significantly increased compared with controls, after treatment with high dosage of EGB, and levels of NO was decreased to normal. They were not decreased by injection of small dosage of EGB. DNA fragmentation of retina apoptosis was detected in experiment groups and small dosage EGB groups.
Conclusion: The retina apoptosis was induced by glutamate by intravitreal injection in adult rabbit and was inhibited by EGB that may be through blocking the generation of NO free radicals.