Objective To study effect and mechanism of extracts of Ginkgo biloba (EGb), creatine and clenbuterol on retarding
denervated
skeletal muscular atrophy. Methods The animal model of brachial plexus injury was established in 24 rats which were randomly and equally divided into EGb group, creatine group, clenbuterol group and control group. Each group was administrated with EGb, creatine, clenbuterol and saline respectively with a dosage of 100 mg·kg 1 ·d 1 for 5 weeks. The circumference change of forelimbs, muscle wet weight and total amount of protein were measured. The apoptotic cells in atrophic muscle were measured with TUNEL, changes of fas and Caspase8/FLICE in muscle cells were also detected with immunohistochemistry. Results After administration of EGb, creatine and clenbuterol for 5 weeks, decrease of fore-limb, muscle wet weight and total amount of protein were inhibited ( P <0.05); and apoptotic cells, expression of fas and Caspase8/FLICE in atrophic muscle were decreased ( P <0.01). Conclusions EGb, creatine and clenbuterol can effectively retard
denervated skeletal muscular atrophy. The mechanism may be related with inhibition of muscle cell apoptosis.