Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are a chronic vascular disease characterized by pathological luminal dilation. Aortic rupture is the fatal consequence of AAAs. Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBEs), a natural herb extract widely used as food supplements, drugs, and cosmetics, has been reported to suppress development of calcium chloride-induced AAAs in mice. Calcium chloride-induced AAAs do not rupture, while angiotensin II (AngII)-induced AAAs in mice have high rate of aortic rupture, implicating potentially different mechanisms from calcium chloride-induced AAAs. This study aimed to determine whether GBE would improve aortic dilation and rupture rate of AngII-induced AAAs. Male apolipoprotein E (apoE) -/- mice were infused with AngII and administered either GBE or its major active ingredients, flavonoids and ginkgolides, individually or in combination. To determine the effects of GBE in mice with established AAAs, male apoE-/- mice were firstly infused with AngII for 28 days to develop AAAs, and then administered either GBE or vehicle in mice with established AAAs, which were continuously infused with AngII for another 56 days. GBE, but not the two major active components separately or synergistically, prevented aortic rupture, but not aortic dilation. The protection of GBE from aortic rupture was independent of systolic blood pressure, lipid, and inflammation. GBE also did not attenuate either aortic rupture or progressive aortic dilation in mice with established AAAs. GBE did not reduce the atherosclerotic lesion areas, either. In conclusion, GBE prevents aortic rupture in AngII-infused hypercholesterolemic mice, but only in the early phase of the disease development.

中文翻译：

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银杏叶提取物可预防注入血管紧张素II的高胆固醇血症小鼠的主动脉破裂。

腹主动脉瘤（AAAs）是一种慢性血管疾病，其特征是病理性管腔扩张。主动脉破裂是AAA的致命后果。银杏叶提取物（GBEs）是一种广泛用作食品补充剂，药物和化妆品的天然草药提取物，据报道可抑制小鼠中氯化钙诱导的AAAs的发育。氯化钙诱导的AAA不会破裂，而小鼠血管紧张素II（AngII）诱导的AAA具有较高的主动脉破裂率，这暗示了与氯化钙诱导的AAA可能存在不同的机制。这项研究旨在确定GBE是否会改善AngII诱导的AAAs的主动脉扩张和破裂率。将雄性载脂蛋白E（apoE）-/-小鼠注入AngII，分别或组合使用GBE或其主要活性成分，类黄酮和银杏内酯。为了确定GBE在已建立AAA的小鼠中的作用，先向雄性apoE-/-小鼠灌输AngII 28天以形成AAA，然后在已建立AAA的小鼠中对GBa或溶媒给药，然后连续向AngII灌注AAA。再过56天。GBE可以防止主动脉破裂，但不能阻止主动脉扩张，但不能分别或协同地发挥两个主要活性成分的作用。GBE对主动脉破裂的保护与收缩压，脂质和炎症无关。GBE在建立了AAA的小鼠中也不会减弱主动脉破裂或进行性主动脉扩张。GBE也没有减少动脉粥样硬化病变区域。总之，GBE可以预防注入AngII的高胆固醇血症小鼠的主动脉破裂，但只能在疾病发展的早期阶段。