OBJECTIVETo explore the protective effects of extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGB) in adriamycin (ADR)-induced heart failure (HF) and the mechanism of ghrelin peptide.

METHODWistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, HF group and EGB group. ADR was injected in the rats of HF group and EGB group by caudal vein. After the last injection, the rats in EGB group were given intra-gastric administration of EGB solution (100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)). Three weeks later, cardiac function was detected; Ghrelin levels in plasma and myocardium were measured by radio-immunology assay (RIA); High energy phosphates (HEP) contents in myocardium were measured by HPLC; Myocardial gene expression of ghrelin was measured by RT-PCR.

RESULTCompared with control group, HF group had obviously decreased index of cardiac function, and these indexes such as +/- dp/dt max in EGB group were higher than those in ADR group. Plasma ghrelin level in HF group was higher than that in control group while myocardial ghrelin level was significantly lower than that in control group. Myocardial ATP content and gene expression of ghrelin mRNA in HF group were significantly lower than those in control group; Plasma ghrelin level in EGB group was significantly increased. Myocardial ATP content and gene expression of ghrelin mRNA in EGB group were significantly higher than those in HF group, and were closed to those of control group.

CONCLUSIONMyocardial energy dysfunction is an important reason of ADR-induced HF. EGB therapy can improve cardiac function and energy metabolism in HF rats, partly because it might increase the expression and production of ghrelin, which can promote positive energy metabolism.