小鼠内耳圆窗基因导入的实验研究

目的研究携带增强型绿色荧光蛋白（enhanced green fluorescent protein,EGFP）腺病毒（Ad-EG-FP）经由小鼠耳后圆窗径路导入内耳的可行性,分析EGFP在耳蜗内的表达特点。方法 19只健康的8～9周龄C57BL/6J雄性小鼠随机分为三组：Ad-EGFP组7只,人工外淋巴液组6只,两组通过耳后切口圆窗径路注射,分别导入Ad-EGFP和人工外淋巴液;空白对照组6只,未予处理。各组均于术前3日和术后7日行听性脑干反应（ABR）检查;术后7日取出耳蜗于荧光显微镜下观察EGFP在内耳的分布并行免疫组化观察EGFP在基底膜的表达。结果 3组动物术前ABR反应阈差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,术后7日,Ad-EGFP组ABR反应阈为62.86±9.94dBSPL,人工外淋巴液组ABR反应阈为60.83±9.70dBSPL,均较术前（37.86±8.59和34.16±8.04dBSPL）及空白对照组（40.83±8.61dBSPL）高（P值均〈0.05）;空白对照组实验前后ABR反应阈无变化,Ad-EGFP组与人工外淋巴液组术后7天ABR反应阈差异无统计学意义（P值均〈0.05）。Ad-EGFP组Ad-EGFP导入后在基底膜上可见EGFP呈广泛表达,人工外淋巴液组和空白对照组基底膜未见荧光表达。结论外源性基因可经内耳圆窗导入并在耳蜗基底膜上广泛表达。     

NGB基因转染拮抗庆大霉素耳毒性作用的实验研究

目的验证阳离子脂质体介导脑红蛋白(neuroglobin,NGB)基因转染对庆大霉素致豚鼠耳毒性的保护作用。方法将ABR反应阈均不超过40dB SPL的120只健康花色豚鼠随机分为5组,每组24只:Ⅰ组:空白对照组;Ⅱ组:人工外淋巴液对照组(经左耳注入人工外淋巴液);Ⅲ组:人工外淋巴液实验组(经左耳注入人工外淋巴液后肌肉注射庆大霉素);Ⅳ组:空质粒转染组(经左耳注入空质粒pEGFP-C1后肌肉注射庆大霉素);Ⅴ组:NGB基因转染组(经左耳注入pEGFP-NGB后肌肉注射庆大霉素),庆大霉素均经后腿肌肉注射120mg.kg-1.d-1,共给药14天。停止给药后喂养14天,各组均行ABR检测,耳蜗基底膜铺片、免疫组化观察各组豚鼠耳蜗基底膜毛细胞形态学及NGB蛋白表达的变化。结果给药后Ⅰ组ABR反应阈平均为37.22dB SPL(左耳)和36.94dB SPL(右耳),Ⅱ组阈值平均为37.22dB SPL(左耳)和37.50dB SPL(右耳),Ⅲ组阈值平均为119.44dB SPL(左耳)和122.22dB SPL(右耳);Ⅳ组阈值平均为119.72dB SPL(左耳)和120.83dB SPL(右耳);Ⅴ组阈值平均为83.89dB SPL(左耳)和100.56dB SPL(右耳)。Ⅴ组ABR反应阈较Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组显著升高(P<0.05),较Ⅲ组和Ⅳ组显著降低(P<0.05)。Ⅴ组中手术耳ABR反应阈较非手术耳降低(P<0.05)。耳蜗基底膜铺片示Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组内外毛细胞排列整齐,无缺失,Ⅲ组和Ⅳ组内外毛细胞极少量残存,其中ABR阈值大于135dB SPL的豚鼠耳蜗毛细胞几乎消失殆尽,Ⅴ组毛细胞部分缺失,且主要是外毛细胞;免疫组织化学染色示Ⅴ组耳蜗毛细胞NGB蛋白表达量较其余各组均显著增高(P<0.05),其余各组几乎均未见明显阳性表达。结论本研究成功验证了阳离子脂质体介导NGB基因转染对庆大霉素致豚鼠耳毒性具有有效的保护作用。     

谷氨酸／天冬氨酸转运体抗体对豚鼠听性脑干反应及毛细胞形态的影响

目的 研究谷氨酸/天冬氨酸转运体(glutamate--aspartate transporter,GLAST)抗体对豚鼠耳蜗听性脑干反应(ABR)和耳蜗毛细胞形态的影响.方法 健康豚鼠20只随机分为实验组和对照组,每组10只.实验组耳蜗鼓阶内灌注GLAST抗体,对照组灌注人工外淋巴液,观察两组术后3、6、9天ABR反应阈、耳蜗基底膜铺片和透射电镜的形态学改变.结果 实验组术后第3天ABR波形消失,术后第9天无恢复;对照组术后第3天8只动物ABR波形消失,术后第6天和第9天全部动物引出ABR波形,平均阈值分别为62.50±5.25、47.50±6.18dB SPL,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).随着GLAST抗体灌注后时间延长,实验组内、外毛细胞及纤毛出现不同程度缺失,透射电镜显示内、外毛细胞及神经末梢胞浆、线粒体空化,细胞核染色质边集等凋亡早期征象.对照组的损伤较轻,与ABR阈值改变相一致.结论 耳蜗内GLAST抗体灌注后出现耳蜗毛细胞、神经末梢的损伤及ABR波形消失,提示GLAST抗体阻断耳蜗Corti器中的GLAST,导致谷氨酸的神经毒性表达.     

多巴胺对豚鼠噪声性听力损失的保护作用

目的观察白噪声条件下多巴胺（dopamine,DA）对耳蜗内毛细胞的保护作用,为进一步探讨多巴胺对耳蜗传入通路的负反馈保护机制奠定基础。方法健康杂色豚鼠40只,随机分4组,行活体全耳蜗灌流：①单纯给予100dB白噪声组（以下同）;②灌流人工外淋巴液组;③灌流人工外淋巴液并给予白噪声组;④灌流1mmol/L多巴胺并给予白噪声组。在灌流第0、2h记录4kHz耳蜗微音电位（cochlear mirophonics,CM）幅值,并做相对幅度输入/输出函数曲线,和不同频率复合动作电位（compound action potential,CAP）阈值。结果给予噪声暴露的3组灌流后CM输入/输出曲线非线性特点均消失,相对幅度下降,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。给予噪声暴露的3组2小时后各频率CAP阈值较前均上升,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.001）。但第4组较第1组除8kHzCAP阈移差异无统计学意义外,其余各频率CAP阈移明显减小（P〈0.05）。高频的阈移相差程度均较低频明显,其中16kHz阈移相差程度最为明显。结论白噪声暴露下多巴胺对耳蜗传入通路具有保护作用,并存在频率选择性,对高频纤维保护作用较低频更强。     

钙通道阻滞药与噪声对豚鼠耳蜗功能的交互作用

目的 观察钙通道阻滞药尼福地平和噪声暴露对耳蜗听神经复合动作电位(compound action potential, CAP)阈值的影响,分析两种实验因素对耳蜗功能的交互作用.方法 采用析因设计,根据耳蜗灌流尼福地平的浓度和是否暴露噪声,将80只豚鼠随机分为八组,每组10只:①人工外淋巴液组;②人工外淋巴液 0.15 μmol/L尼福地平组;③人工外淋巴液 0.5 μmol/L尼福地平组;④人工外淋巴液 3 μmol/L尼福地平组;⑤人工外淋巴液 噪声暴露组;⑥人工外淋巴液 0.15 μmol/L尼福地平 噪声暴露组;⑦人工外淋巴液 0.5μmol/L尼福地平 噪声暴露组;⑧人工外淋巴液 3 μmol/L尼福地平 噪声暴露组.各组在灌流前和灌流120分钟后在圆窗记录CAP阈值.分析各组CAP阈值的变化及两种实验因素对耳蜗功能CAP阈值的交互作用.结果 第1～4组灌流不同浓度尼福地平后CAP阈值升高,CAP阈移分别是2.5、5.5、28和21.5 dB;第5～8组灌流不同浓度尼福地平并暴露噪声后CAP阈移分别是43.5、46.5、20和21.5 dB.统计学分析发现两种实验因素对耳蜗功能有抑制作用,并存在交互作用.结论 在本实验条件下钙通道阻滞药和噪声对耳蜗功能均有抑制作用,且两者的抑制作用不是相互叠加而是交互作用,其交互作用与钙通道阻滞药的浓度有关.     

卡那霉素联合速尿致聋豚鼠的Math1基因治疗

目的 观察卡那霉素和速尿联合致聋豚鼠耳蜗鼓阶导入Math1基因后的形态学及功能改变,探讨Mathl基因治疗药物中毒性耳聋的可行性.方法 健康成年豚鼠经硫酸卡那霉素(500 mg/kg)和速尿(50 mg/kg)联合致聋,将听性脑干反应(ABR)反应阈＞95 dB SPL的豚鼠按随机数字表法分为空白对照组(不做任何处置,3只),手术对照组(右耳单纯鼓阶钻孔,3只),人工外淋巴液组(右耳鼓阶钻孔导入人工外淋巴液,3只),单纯病毒载体组[右耳鼓阶钻孔导入携带增强型绿色荧光蛋白基因(enhanced green fluorescent protein,EGFP)的重组腺病毒(Ad.EGFP),4只]、Math1基因治疗组[右耳鼓阶钻孔导入携带Math1及EGFP基因的重组腺病毒(Ad.Math1-EGFP),6只].各组动物分别于鼓阶注射前及注射后8周时行ABR测试,结束测试后处死动物,取出耳蜗组织行扫描电镜观察.结果 各组豚鼠不同频率(4、8、16、20 kHz)短纯音ABR阈值在不同检测时间段差异均无统计学意义,组间比较差异亦无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05).除Math1基因治疗组外,其余各组右耳耳蜗各回毛细胞形态和数目与左耳(自身对照)比较无明显差别.4只Math1基因治疗组豚鼠中,有2只右耳耳蜗第三回内、外毛细胞数量明显比左耳多,其中内毛细胞排列形态较外毛细胞整齐.结论 鼓阶显微注射导入Math1基因能使部分卡那霉素和速尿联合致聋豚鼠的耳蜗毛细胞修复或再生,但其听觉功能没有改善.     

用MP3播放器通过耳机播放音乐对豚鼠听觉系统的影响

目的研究用MP3播放器通过耳机播放音乐对豚鼠的听性脑干反应(auditory brainstem response,ABR)阈值及耳蜗形态学的影响,探讨其对听觉系统的损伤作用。方法实验动物分为对照组及实验组,每组动物12只。对照组不给予音乐暴露,其他条件与实验组相同。实验组每天用MP3播放器播放流行音乐5 h,连续14 d。观察对照组、实验组ABR反应阈及耳蜗形态学的变化。结果实验组动物在音乐暴露过程中及暴露后数天均呈现明显ABR反应阈上移,而对照组ABR反应阈无明显变化,两组间差异有统计学意义;基底膜铺片示实验组耳蜗各转外毛细胞均有不同程度的缺失,以耳蜗底转近钩端最为严重,3排外毛细胞以第二、三排损伤较重。结论用MP3播放器通过耳机播放音乐能引起豚鼠听觉系统的损害,表现为ABR反应阈升高及耳蜗外毛细胞形态的改变。     

过氧化氢对豚鼠耳蜗功能及形态的影响

目的 在体观察过氧化氢(H2O2)对豚鼠耳蜗功能及形态的影响。方法 实验动物分为4组，分别灌流人工外淋巴液(artificial perilymph,APL)，50μMH2O2，100μMH2O2和200μMH2O2(H2O2均溶于APL中)，并用Pl和H033342双染色方法观察H2O2引起的内耳细胞损伤情况。结果 所有H2O2灌流组复合动作电位((CAP)阈移和耳蜗微音电位(CM)幅度变化与人工外淋巴液组比较差异有显著性，且各H2O2组的变化呈现出浓度依赖性；Pl和H033342双染色方法发现外毛细胞是H2O2攻击的主要靶细胞，而Hensen细胞未见任何损伤痕迹。结论 H2O2可导致耳蜗功能下降及耳蜗毛细胞损伤：Hensen细胞较毛细胞可能具有更强的抗氧化能力。     

外源性谷氨酰胺合成酶对豚鼠耳蜗电位和超微结构的影响

目的观察外源性谷氨酰胺合成酶对豚鼠耳蜗电位和超微结构的影响。方法健康杂色豚鼠30只,随机分为3组,应用豚鼠全耳蜗灌流技术,分别经耳蜗灌流人工外淋巴液和不同浓度的谷氨酰胺合成酶2小时,记录灌流前和灌流后的耳蜗电位;同时应用透射电镜技术观察灌流前后耳蜗形态学的变化。结果灌流人工外淋巴液后豚鼠耳蜗电位及形态学无改变。灌流0.5U/L谷氨酰胺合成酶后耳蜗微音电位(cochlear microphonics,CM)非线性特点无改变,但其幅度略有下降,听神经复合动作电位(compound action potential,CAP)阈移为5.50±3.33dB;灌流1U/L谷氨酰胺合成酶后CM非线性特点无改变,其幅度下降较灌流0.5U/L谷氨酰胺合成酶时明显,CAP的阈移为10.00±4.17dB,灌流谷氨酰胺合成酶后耳蜗内、外毛细胞的形态和结构未见改变。结论内毛细胞兴奋性神经递质谷氨酸被谷氨酰胺合成酶过量摄取后引起了传入神经功能的改变(CAP阈值升高),证明耳蜗谷氨酸-谷氨酰胺循环中确实有谷氨酰胺合成酶的作用。     

盐酸椒苯酮胺对豚鼠耳蜗缺血再灌注损伤的听力保护作用北大核心CSCD

目的探讨盐酸椒苯酮胺(piperphentonamine hydrochloride,PPTA)对豚鼠耳蜗缺血再灌注损伤后听功能保护作用及其对耳蜗组织形态的影响。方法将32只成年豚鼠随机分为4组,每组8只,第1组为正常组(不做任何处理),第2组为空白对照组(手术切开颈前正中皮肤,分离出双侧椎动脉、双侧颈总动脉,但不做其它处理),第3组为缺血再灌注对照组(阻断双侧椎动脉及右侧颈总动脉建立豚鼠耳蜗缺血再灌注模型,再灌注同时股静脉给予与PPTA同等剂量生理盐水),第4组为缺血再灌注实验组(手术造模成功后,再灌注同时静脉给予PPTA 10mg/kg)。测量实验前后各组动物的听性脑干反应(ABR)波Ⅲ反应阈。动物造模成功后24小时迅速断头取听泡,每组取4只扫描电镜下观察耳蜗结构、另外4只用透射电镜观察耳蜗结构。结果实验前4组动物ABR波Ⅲ反应阈差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),缺血再灌注24h后第3组ABR波Ⅲ反应阈显著高于第1组和第2组(P<0.05),第4组ABR波Ⅲ反应阈比第3组明显降低(P<0.05);扫描及透射电镜下可见第3组耳蜗外毛细胞纤毛倒伏、脱落,内毛细胞纤毛散乱,血管纹内皮细胞核固缩、边集,神经元可见脱髓鞘改变,而第4组的耳蜗组织损伤明显减轻。结论 PPTA可以防止耳蜗缺血再灌注损伤后毛细胞损伤缺失,对豚鼠耳蜗缺血再灌注听力损伤有保护作用。     

Further comparisons of ABR response amplitudes,test time,and estimation of hearing threshold using frequency-specific chirp and tone pip stimuli in newborns: Findings at 0.5 and 2 kHz

Objective: To compare auditory brainstem response (ABR) amplitudes evoked by 0.5 and 2 kHz tone pip and narrowband chirp (NB CE-Chirp) stimuli when testing post-screening newborns. To determine the difference in ‘estimated hearing level’ correction values. Design: Tests were performed with tone pips and NB CE-Chirps at 0.5 or 2 kHz and the ABR threshold for each stimulus defined. Response amplitude, response quality (Fmp), and residual noise were compared for both stimuli. Study sample: Thirty-nine babies (42 ears) who passed our ABR discharge criterion at 4 kHz following referral from their newborn hearing screen. Results: NB CE-Chirp responses were, on average, 31% larger than the tone pip responses at 0.5 kHz and were 52% larger at 2 kHz. Fmp was significantly higher for NB CE-Chirps. Conclusions: The advantages of NB CE-Chirps over tone pips we previously identified at 4 and 1 kHz extends to 0.5 and 2 kHz, which supports the use of NB CE-Chirps when testing newborns. We propose that ABR nHL threshold to eHL corrections for NB CE-Chirps should be approximately 5 dB less than corrections for tone pips at 0.5 and 2 kHz, mirroring our recommendation at 4 and 1 kHz.     

Effect of infrasound on cochlear damage from exposure to a 4 kHz octave band of noise

Infrasound (i.e., <20 Hz for humans; <100 Hz for chinchillas) is not audible, but exposure to high-levels of infrasound will produce large movements of cochlear fluids. We speculated that high-level infrasound might bias the basilar membrane and perhaps be able to minimize noise-induced hearing loss. Chinchillas were simultaneously exposed to a 30 Hz tone at 100 dB SPL and a 4 kHz OBN at either 108 dB SPL for 1.75 h or 86 dB SPL for 24h. For each animal, the tympanic membrane (TM) in one ear was perforated ( approximately 1 mm(2)) prior to exposure to attenuate infrasound transmission to that cochlea by about 50 dB SPL. Controls included animals that were exposed to the infrasound only or the 4 kHz OBN only. ABR threshold shifts (TSs) and DPOAE level shifts (LSs) were determined pre- and post-TM-perforation and immediately post-exposure, just before cochlear fixation. The cochleae were dehydrated, embedded in plastic, and dissected into flat preparations of the organ of Corti (OC). Each dissected segment was evaluated for losses of inner hair cells (IHCs) and outer hair cells (OHCs). For each chinchilla, the magnitude and pattern of functional and hair cell losses were compared between their right and left cochleae. The TM perforation produced no ABR TS across frequency but did produce a 10-21 dB DPOAE LS from 0.6 to 2 kHz. The infrasound exposure alone resulted in a 10-20 dB ABR TS at and below 2 kHz, no DPOAE LS and no IHC or OHC losses. Exposure to the 4 kHz OBN alone at 108 dB produced a 10-50 dB ABR TS for 0.5-12 kHz, a 10-60 dB DPOAE LS for 0.6-16 kHz and severe OHC loss in the middle of the first turn. When infrasound was present during exposure to the 4 kHz OBN at 108 dB, the functional losses and OHC losses extended much further toward the apical and basal tips of the OC than in cochleae exposed to the 4 kHz OBN alone. Exposure to only the 4 kHz OBN at 86 dB produces a 10-40 dB ABR TS for 3-12 kHz and 10-30 dB DPOAE LS for 3-8 kHz but little or no OHC loss in the middle of the first turn. No differences were found in the functional and hair-cell losses from exposure to the 4 kHz OBN at 86 dB in the presence or absence of infrasound. We hypothesize that exposure to infrasound and an intense 4 kHz OBN increases cochlear damage because the large fluid movements from infrasound cause more intermixing of cochlear fluids through the damaged reticular lamina. Simultaneous infrasound and a moderate 4 kHz OBN did not increase cochlear damage because the reticular lamina rarely breaks down during this moderate level exposure.     

Antioxidant treatment reduces blast-induced cochlear damage and hearing loss

Exposure to blast overpressure has become one of the hazards of both military and civilian life in many parts of the world due to war and terrorist activity. Auditory damage is one of the primary sequela of blast trauma, affecting immediate situational awareness and causing permanent hearing loss. Protecting against blast exposure is limited by the inability to anticipate the timing of these exposures, particularly those caused by terrorists. Therefore a therapeutic regimen is desirable that is able to ameliorate auditory damage when administered after a blast exposure has occurred. The purpose of this study was to determine if administration of a combination of antioxidants 2,4-disulfonyl α-phenyl tertiary butyl nitrone (HPN-07) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) beginning 1 h after blast exposure could reduce both temporary and permanent hearing loss. To this end, a blast simulator was developed and the operational conditions established for exposing rats to blast overpressures comparable to those encountered in an open-field blast of 14 pounds per square inch (psi). This blast model produced reproducible blast overpressures that resulted in physiological and physical damage to the auditory system that was proportional to the number and amplitude of the blasts. After exposure to 3 consecutive 14 psi blasts 100% of anesthetized rats had permanent hearing loss as determined at 21 days post exposure by auditory brainstem response (ABR) and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) testing. Animals treated with HPN-07 and NAC after blast exposure showed a significant reduction in ABR threshold shifts and DPOAE level shifts at 2-16 kHz with significant reduction in inner hair cell (IHC) and outer hair cell (OHC) loss across the 5-36 kHz region of the cochlea compared with control animals. The time course of changes in the auditory system was documented at 3 h, 24 h, 7 day and 21 day after blast exposure. At 3 h after blast exposure the auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold shifts were elevated by 60 dB in both treated and control groups. A partial recovery of to 35 dB was observed at 24 h in the controls, indicative of a temporary threshold shift (TTS) and there was essentially no further recovery by 21 days representing a permanent threshold shift (PTS) of about 30 dB. Antioxidant treatment increased the amount of both TTS and PTS recovery relative to controls by 10 and 20 dB respectively. Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) reached a maximum level shift of 25-30 dB measured in both control and treated groups at 3 h after blast exposure. These levels did not change by day 21 in the control group but in the treatment group the level shifts began to decline at 24 h until by day 21 they were 10-20 dB below that of the controls. Loss of cochlear hair cells measured at 21 day after blast exposure was mostly in the outer hair cells (OHC) and broadly distributed across the basilar membrane, consistent with the distribution of loss of frequency responses as measured by ABR and DPOAE analysis and typical of blast-induced damage. OHC loss progressively increased after blast exposure reaching an average loss of 32% in the control group and 10% in the treated group at 21 days. These findings provide the first evidence that a combination of antioxidants, HPN-07 and NAC, can both enhance TTS recovery and prevent PTS by reducing damage to the mechanical and neural components of the auditory system when administered shortly after blast exposure.     

Vitamin E reduces cisplatin ototoxicity

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Cisplatin ototoxicity is a major dose-limiting factor in the treatment of several neoplasms. Vitamin E, a slow-acting free radical scavenger, has been shown to ameliorate nephrotoxicity and endothelial cell damage in animals receiving cisplatin. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of vitamin E as an otoprotectant. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized controlled trial in the rat model. METHODS: Wistar rats (weight, 261-386 g) were sedated using 172.4 mg/kg intramuscular ketamine and 3.4 mg/kg xylazine. Baseline auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing was performed in response to clicks and 8-, 16-, and 32-kHz tone bursts. After auditory thresholds were determined, the animals received intraperitoneal drug administration according to one of three group classifications. Group 1 received 4 g/kg vitamin E followed after 30 minutes by 16 mg/kg cisplatin. Group 2 received 6 mL/kg soybean oil followed after 30 minutes by cisplatin. Group 3 received soybean oil followed after 30 minutes by 16 mL/kg saline. After 3 days' follow-up, ABR testing was performed and threshold changes were recorded. Cochleae were removed and processed for scanning electron microscopy after follow-up auditory testing was carried out. RESULTS: Group 2 animals showed marked hearing loss with average threshold shifts of 28.75 +/- 2.3 dB for clicks, 30.0 +/- 1.9 dB at 8 kHz, 21.25 +/- 4.0 dB at 16 kHz, and 45.0 +/- 4.2 dB at 32 kHz. No significant loss was observed in group 3 with shifts of 2 +/- 1.3 dB, 3 +/-3.0 dB, -2.2 +/- 3.1 dB, and -1.1 +/- 4.0 dB for clicks and tone bursts at 8, 16, and 32 kHz, respectively. Significant protection was seen in group 1 animals compared with group 2 animals. In the former group, threshold shifts of 12.5 +/- 3.1 dB for clicks, 7.5 +/- 2.5 dB at 8 kHz, 5.0 +/- 3.3 dB at 16 kHz, and 24.4 +/- 5.6 dB at 32 kHz were observed. These findings were supported by the scanning electron microscope observations that severe outer hair cell destruction occurred in group 2 rats, whereas outer hair cells were preserved to a much greater extent in the cochleae of rats in group 1 that were pretreated with vitamin E. CONCLUSION: Vitamin E appears to have a protective effect against cisplatin ototoxicity.     

Auditory brainstem responses to middle- and low-frequency tone pips

Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) evoked by clicks allow a threshold evaluation for the high-frequency range (2-4 kHz) but not for middle and low frequencies (0.5-1 kHz). In 19 normally hearing subjects aged between 24 and 40 years. ABRs have been recorded using clicks and 0.5- and 1-kHz tone pips, with durations of 6 and 3 ms, respectively, and rise-decay times of 3 and 1.5 ms. The input signal was filtered by a passband filter of 20-5 000 Hz. Parameters of tracings elicited by the different kinds of stimuli are compared. Tone-pip ABR morphology does not show the conventional seven peaks but a single large vertex-positive wave. On the ascending branch high-frequency potentials, probably corresponding to the I, II, III and IV-V click-evoked peaks, were visible in some cases, but they rapidly disappeared as the stimulus intensity was decreased. Their 2.3-3 ms greater mean latency values are presumably related to the rise times of the stimuli employed. In terms of bioelectric generators, this large vertex-positive peak probably corresponds to the Jewett V wave. It probably represents a generalized asynchronous dendritic activity. Thus it is possible to obtain ABRs to middle- and low-frequency stimuli. Mean amplitude values of the slow wave are considerably higher than those of the Jewett V wave, but standard deviations are also larger. The positive wave has been identified in response to 1-kHz tone pips in 100% of cases at 30 dB nHL and in 52% of cases at 20 dB, while for 0.5-kHz tone pips in 73.7% of cases at 30 dB and in 57% at 20 dB. On the whole the threshold is located between 15 and 30 dB nHL.     

D-methionine (D-met) significantly rescues noise-induced hearing loss: timing studies

We have previously reported rescue from noise-induced auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold shifts with d-methionine (d-met) administration 1?h after noise exposure. The present study investigated further d-met rescue intervals at 3, 5 and 7?h post-noise exposure. Chinchillas laniger were exposed to a 6?h 105?dB sound pressure level (dB SPL) octave band noise (OBN) and then administered d-met i.p. starting 3, 5, or 7?h after noise exposure; controls received saline i.p. immediately after noise exposure. ABR assessments were performed at baseline and on post-exposure days 1 and 21. Outer hair cell (OHC) loss was measured in cochleae obtained at sacrifice 21 days post-exposure. Administration of d-met starting at any of the delay times of 3-7?h post-noise exposure significantly reduced day 21 ABR threshold shift at 2 and 4?kHz and OHC loss at all hair cell regions measured (2, 4, 6 and 8?kHz). ABR threshold shifts in the control group at 6 and 8?kHz were only 8 and 11?dB respectively allowing little opportunity to observe protection at those 2 frequencies.     

Ototoxic effects of cisplatin in a Sprague-Dawley rat animal model as revealed by ABR and transiently evoked otoacoustic emission measurements

The ototoxic effects of cisplatin in a Sprague–Dawley rat model were evaluated by recordings of auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs). The ABR responses were evoked from alternating clicks and 8, 10, 12, 16, 20 and 30 kHz tone pips in a range from 40 to 100 dB SPL range. The TEOAEs were recorded with a non-linear protocol, and were evoked by a 63.5 dB SPL click stimulus. Twenty five male Sprague–Dawley rats were used in the study, 20 animals were treated with cisplatin (16 mg/kg, body weight) and five animals served as controls. The data showed that 72 h after the cisplatin administration, the TEOAE and ABR variables were significantly altered. The relationship between the ABR and TEOAE variables was shown to be non-linear. The most significant relationships were observed between the TEOAE correlation and the ABR threshold values at 10, 12, and 16 kHz.     

Comparison of ABR response amplitude,test time,and estimation of hearing threshold using frequency specific chirp and tone pip stimuli in newborns

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the auditory brainstem response (ABR) amplitudes evoked by tone pip and narrowband chirp (NB CE-Chirp) stimuli when testing post-screening newborns and to determine the difference in estimated hearing level correction values. Design: Tests were performed with tone pips and NB CE-Chirps at 4 kHz or 1 kHz. The response amplitude, response quality (Fmp), and residual noise were compared for both stimuli. Study sample: Thirty babies (42 ears) who passed our ABR discharge criterion at 4 kHz following referral from their newborn hearing screen. Results: Overall, NB CE-Chirp responses were 64% larger than the tone pip responses, closer to those evoked by clicks. Fmp was significantly higher for NB CE-Chirps. Conclusion: It is anticipated that there could be significant reductions in test time for the same signal to noise ratio by using NB CE-Chirps when testing newborns. This effect may vary in practice and is likely to be most beneficial for babies with low amplitude ABR responses. We propose that the ABR nHL threshold to eHL correction for NB CE-Chirps should be approximately 5 dB less than the corrections for tone pips at 4 and 1 kHz.     

Frequency-specific auditory brainstem responses. Effective masking levels and relationship to behavioural thresholds in normal hearing adults

Ipsilateral masking levels and normal thresholds for tone pip auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were investigated in normal subjects for the purpose of establishing recording parameters and norms for frequency-specific tone pip ABR testing. White noise was found to effectively mask ABRs to tone pips at mean signal-to-noise ratios of between -1 and -5.5 dB [dB peak-equivalent (pe) SPL/dB SPL] depending on the tone pip frequency. ABR thresholds were established for tone pips in the presence of ipsilateral masking with high-pass filtered noise for 50-Hz tone pips and notched noise for tone pips from 1,000 to 4,000 Hz, at a nominal signal-to-noise ratio of -5 dB (i.e. with the noise SPL measured prior to filtering). Thresholds occurred between 28.6 and 36.6 dB pe SPL, equivalent to 4.4-8.8 dB nHL. ABR thresholds for masked and unmasked tone pips did not differ significantly.     

Electrophysiological findings in the Sprague-Dawley rat induced by moderate-dose carboplatin

Carboplatin is a second generation platinum-containing anti-tumor drug which selectively alters the micromechanical function of the inner hair cells (IHCs) of the organ of Corti in the chinchilla. Data from a recent study [Wake et al., Acta Otolaryngol. 116 (1996) 374-381], using the chinchilla model, have suggested that a moderate dose of carboplatin alters the efferent feedback loop gain of the OHCs. The present study was designed to evaluate the possible 'efferent feedback alteration mechanism' in the Sprague-Dawley rat using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). A moderate dose of carboplatin (50 mg/kg body weight) was administered by a 30 min i.p. infusion. Pre- and 72-h post-treatment DPOAE and auditory brainstem response (ABR) recordings were acquired from a group of 12 rats. The animals were anesthetized with a ketamine-atropin anesthesia administered in two consecutive phases. The DPOAE responses (cubic distortion products) were recorded with four asymmetrical protocols: P1=60-50, P2=50-40, P3=40-30 and P4=30-20 dB SPL (sound pressure level), in the frequency range from 4.0 to 16 kHz. ABR responses were obtained for bipolar clicks and tone pips at the frequencies 8.0, 10.0, 20.0 and 30 kHz using stimuli in the range from 100 to 30 dB SPL. Significant ABR threshold shifts of 15 dB were observed at 30 kHz, and shifts of 10 dB at 20, 16 and 10 kHz. The comparison of pre- and post-treatment DPOAE responses did not reveal any significant changes for protocols P1, P2 and P4. Data from the P3 protocol indicated a decrease of the DPOAE amplitude. The findings from the rat model suggest that (a) moderate doses of carboplatin do not affect the efferent feedback loop OHC function and (b) the cochlear susceptibility to carboplatin across species is different, even at moderate-dose regimes.