The effects of gingko biloba extract and deferoxamine on flap viability

It has been claimed that pretreatment of tissues with a variety of agents can minimize the production of oxygen radicals and improve tissue survival after an ischemic insult. In this study, the effects of two different free radical scavengers, ginkgo biloba extract-EGb 761, and deferoxamine, were compared in a rat groin island skin flap model. The rates of skin flap necrosis were determined and biochemical enzymes including malonyldialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were measured. The biopsy specimens were evaluated electron microscopically. The rates of skin flap necrosis in the treated groups were found to be lower than those in control groups (p<0.001). The biopsy specimens from radical scavenger treated groups showed that the ginkgo biloba and deferoxamine treated rat samples had significantly lower MDA; SOD, GSH-Px levels on the 2nd, 6th, 10th experiment days when compared with the results of control groups (p<0.001). However, in magnitude this marked decrease in MDA, SOD, and GSH-Px levels which was detected after 2nd, 6th and 10th days in ginkgo biloba treated group were found to be lower than in deferoxamine treated ones (p<0.05). The electron microscopic investigation also showed that the ginkgo biloba treated rat biopsy specimens had more normal tissue ultrastructures than the deferoxamine treated rat samples.