[Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (ginaton) on mRNA expression of bcl-2 and bcl-xL in myocardium of patients underwent hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass].

Objective: To investigate the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (Ginaton) on bcl-2 and bcl-xL mRNA expression in the myocardium of patients underwent hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: Thirty congenital heart disease patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups, the control group and the treated group. Patients in both groups received St. Thomas' cardioplegic solution via radix aortae, while Ginaton (0.5 mg/kg) was added in the treated group. Cardiac surgery was started after complete heart arrest. Myocardium was taken before the aorta ascendens was unblocked and mRNA expression of bcl-2 and bcl-xL in the ventricular tissue was detected by RT-PCR.

Results: The gene expressions of bcl-2 and bcl-xL were significantly higher in the treated group than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Ginaton could promote the mRNA expressions of the antiapoptotic gene bcl-2 and bcl-xL in myocardium of patients underwent CI'PB.