[Behavior of human endothelial cells in hyperoxia and hypoxia: effect of Ginkor Fort]

Recent discoveries have shown that venous diseases have a multifactorial etiology. One of the factors which is definitely involved in this pathologic process is the change in the concentration of oxygen. An increase in the concentration of oxygen, hyperoxia, or reoxygenation following hypoxia, damages the tissues by stepping up the production of free radicals. In addition, a reduction in oxygen concentration, or hypoxia, is also damaging, probably through a reduction in ATP synthesis. From a therapeutic standpoint, the veins, and more particularly the endothelium, must be protected against the impact on the tissue of these changes in oxygen concentration. In this study, the effects of Ginkor Fort were tested on cultured endothelial cells subjected to varying oxygen pressures. The results show that Ginkor Fort can provide good protection of endothelial cells against hyperoxia and hypoxia-reoxygenation. These beneficial effects are probably due to the presence of flavonoids in the Ginko biloba extract; these flavonoids have an anti-oxidant effect. In addition, this substance also protects the cells against hypoxia, possibly by increasing the availability of oxygen for ATP synthesis. This dual protective effect, which is produced by two different mechanisms, may account for the wide spectrum of Ginkor Fort in its use in venous diseases.