Effects of L-carnitine and Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in experimental bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis

The effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) and L-carnitine on bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis were studied in rats. BLM (cumulative dose of 180 mg kg(-1)) was given intraperitoneally (i.p.) three times weekly for 4 consecutive weeks. Treatment with BLM enhanced the responsiveness of isolated pulmonary arterial rings to serotonin (5-HT), significantly increased the normal serum level of tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) by similar to105% and markedly elevated the level of lipid peroxide (LPO) and collagen content in the lung homogenates by 34 and 83%, respectively. EGb 761 (100 mg kg(-1)), given in drinking water for the whole study period, totally abolished the BLM-induced alterations in the measured biochemical and pharmacological parameters. Meanwhile, L-carnitine (500 mg kg(-1)), administered in drinking water, significantly decreased the BLM-induced elevations of serum TNF-alpha, LPO level in lung tissues and the enhanced responsiveness of pulmonary arterial rings to 5-HT. However, L-carnitine did not reduce the increase in the collagen content produced by BLM. The results of the present study indicate the beneficial effects of EGb 761 and L-carnitine against lung toxicity induced by BLM treatment. Furthermore, the present data shows the advantageous use of EGb 761 as a protective agent in BLM-induced lung fibrosis under the experimental circumstances. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.