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[Ginkgolide B promotes axonal growth of retina ganglion cells by anti-apoptosis in vitro.] [Article in Chinese]

WANG Zhen-Yu, MO Xiao-Fen, JIANG Xu-Hua, RONG Xian-Fang, MIAO Hua-Mao

Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College； Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China

Abstract

One common feature of glaucoma, optic neuritis and some other optic nerve diseases is sustained and irreversible apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Ginkgolide B is believed to protect neurons in brain and contribute to neurite outgrowth and synapse formation. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGB761) and ginkgolide B on axonal growth of RCGs. Retina explants were cultured in three-dimensional tissue culture system, and the number and length of neurites were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed to confirm that the neurite observed was axon of RGCs. TUNEL and activated caspase-3 staining were also applied to observe RGCs apoptosis. The result shows that neurites of RGCs treated with EGB761 or ginkgolide B were more and longer than those in control. The neurite is proved to be the axon of RGCs by immunostaining. Furthermore, compared with control group, RGCs treated with ginkgolide B showed decreased cellular apoptosis and inhibited caspase-3 activation. These results suggest ginkgolide B can promote RGCs axon growth by protecting RGCs against apoptosis.

Key words: EGB761; ginkgolide B; retina ganglion cells; neuroprotection; axon growth; glaucoma

Received: 2012-01-19　　Accepted: 2012-03-21

Corresponding author: 莫晓芬　　E-mail: xfmo@fudan.edu.cn

Citing This Article：

WANG Zhen-Yu, MO Xiao-Fen, JIANG Xu-Hua, RONG Xian-Fang, MIAO Hua-Mao. [Ginkgolide B promotes axonal growth of retina ganglion cells by anti-apoptosis in vitro.] [Article in Chinese]. Acta Physiol Sin 2012; 64 (4): 417-424 (in Chinese with English abstract).