Kader Kose (1), Pakize Dogan (1), Meral Ascioglu (2) and Ozcan Ascioglu
(3)
(1) Department of Biochemistry, (2) Department of Physiology and (3)
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, 38039-Kayseri,
Turkey
Abstract: Excessive superoxide radical production and an impaired
antioxidant mechanism in both the neutrophils and plasma of patients with
Behcet's disease (BD) have been reported. To provide clinical support for
the earlier data, erythrocyte membrane integrity was investigated by measuring
malondialdehyde (MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation) levels in the erythrocytes
of BD patients. In addition, the antioxidant effect of Ginkgo biloba extract
(EGb 761) at 25 and 250 microg/ml concentrations on lipoperoxidation induced
by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in erythrocyte obtained from BD patients was
examined in in vitro conditions. When compared to healthy controls, basal
erythrocyte MDA levels were found to be higher in BD patients. In the in
vitro study, there was also a significant increase in H2O2-induced MDA production
in the medium containing no EGb 761 in the patient group, whereas significant
decreases in MDA levels were observed in the mediums containing EGb 761
both in the patient and control groups. The decrease in MDA production was
found to be related to EGb 761 concentration. These data indicate that an
oxidative damage is present in erythrocytes obtained from Behcet's patients,
and EGb 761, which may strengthen the antioxidant defense system, may contribute
to the treatment of BD.
Keywords: Behcet's disease, Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761), Lipid peroxidation,
Malondialdehyde, Erythrocyte