Ginkgo Biloba Extract 761 Reduces Vascular Permeability of the Ovary and Improves the Symptom of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome in a Rat Model

Abstract BackgroundGinkgo biloba extract (EGb) has been widely applied in the treatment of cerebrovascular and neurological diseases. However, the effect of EGb761 on ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a vascular disorder and life-threatening complication of In vitro fertilization and Intracytoplasmic sperm injection therapy (IVF/ICSI), has not been evaluated. MethodsForty female Wistar rats aged 22-days old (D22) were divided into eight groups: Control rats received intraperitoneal injection of saline for 5 consecutive days (D22-D26); OHSS-model group received 10 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) for 4 consecutive days (D22-D25) and 30 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the 5th day (D26); Prophylactic treatment group received three doses of EGb761 (50mg/kg/d, 100mg/kg/d, 200mg/kg/d) one hour before injection of eCG (hCG) for 7 consecutive days; Therapeutic treatment group received three doses of EGb761 (50mg/kg/d, 100mg/kg/d, 200mg/kg/d) 48 hours after injection of eCG (hCG) for 7 consecutive days. ResultsWe found the therapeutic treatment group exhibited the lowest ovarian and renal mass index, vascular permeability, estradiol and progesterone concentrations, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) protein expression. ConclusionsEGb761 decreases vascular permeability in OHSS rat model by inhibiting VEGF and VEGFR expression, which may contribute to the prevention and treatment of OHSS. Furthermore, therapeutic medication is superior to prophylactic medication.