Objective:To investigate the effect of extract of gingko biloba (EGB)on inflammatory cytokines in patients with early diabeti cnephropathy(DN). Methods:Thirty-nine patients with early DN were randomly assigned into the control group (n=19)treated by irbesartan alone and the treated group (n=20)treated by EGB combined with irbesartan for 6 months. Serum interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were determined with ELISA before and after treatment

and urinary albumin excretion rate

fasting blood glucose

serum creatinine

blood urea nitrogen and lipid profiles

were examined as well. Results:The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly lower in both groups after treatment than those before treatment (P<0.01). After treatment

IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the treated group were more noticeably reduced than those in the control group according to q test (P<0.01). Conclusion:EGB could retard the development of early DN

through decreasing concentration of serum IL-6 and TNF-α

regulating the production of inflammatory cytokins and inhibiting inflammatory reaction.