水杨酸钠中耳灌注对庆大霉素耳毒性的防护作用

目的 观察水杨酸钠经中耳局部灌注给药对庆大霉素耳毒性的防护作用。方法 24只健康杂色豚鼠均接受圆窗置管术，然后随机分成3组：Ⅰ组为生理盐水对照组；Ⅱ组为庆大霉素组，腹腔注射庆大霉素，经听泡灌注生理盐水；Ⅲ组为庆大霉素加水杨酸钠组，腹腔注射庆大霉素，经听泡灌注水杨酸钠。观察各组给药前后听性脑干反应阈的变化和给药后4周毛细胞损失情况。结果 听泡置管术后ABR反应阈无明显改变；给药后2周和4周，庆大霉素组ABR反应阈较庆大霉素加水杨酸组显著增高（P〈0．01），对照组ABR反应阈无显著变化。耳蜗铺片、毛细胞计数显示庆大霉素组外毛细胞严重缺失，以底回最明显，庆大霉素加水杨酸钠组外毛细胞损失较庆大霉素组轻（P〈0．05）。对照组无明显外毛细胞缺失。结论 水杨酸钠经中耳局部给药途径可减轻庆大霉素所致听功能损害和毛细胞缺失，可在一定程度上有效预防庆大霉素的耳毒性。     

Hyaluronan applied to lesioned round window membrane is free from cochlear ototoxicity

Hyaluronan (HYA) in 1% solution was instilled into the round window (RW) niche of rats (n = 6) prior to perforating the round window membrane (RWM). Cochlear functioning and structure were then monitored by recording auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) at 2-31.5 kHz and by scanning electron microscopy. Perforation of the RWM alone (n = 6) resulted in immediate loss of ABR thresholds between 6 and 31.5 kHz in 2 of 6 animals. Similar results were obtained after instilling HYA into the RW niche and subsequent RWM perforation (n = 6). After 2 months, ABR thresholds were recorded at all frequencies in the HYA-treated animals, whereas in 2 of the controls no ABR thresholds could be elicited at 20 and 31.5 kHz. However, in both treatment groups the mean ABR thresholds and mean latencies for wave II at the ABR threshold returned to the pre-surgical (normal) range after 2 months. With respect to the cochlear morphology the results in both treatment groups were also alike including minor structural changes in hair cell stereociliae but no loss of hair cells. It is concluded that HYA, when instilled into the middle ear with the inner ear opened, is free from cochlear otoxicity.     

Distribution of Gentamicin in the Guinea Pig Inner Ear after Local or Systemic Application

Uptake and retention of gentamicin by cells in the guinea pig inner ear after a single peritoneal injection or local application on the round window were investigated using immunocytochemistry to localize the drug. The cells that accumulated the drug under the two conditions were the same, but staining for the drug was more intense and was often accompanied by widespread cochlear degeneration following local application. Soon after drug administration by either route, there was diffuse staining for the drug throughout all tissue within the labyrinth, including bone. At later times when distinct cell staining became evident, virtually all cell types were found to be positive, with several cell types staining more darkly for the drug than hair cells, indicating that hair cells were not the most avid in accumulating gentamicin. The infracuticular portion of auditory and vestibular hair cells as well as type III fibrocytes of the spiral ligament were positively stained in almost all cases and these sites were found to be positive for as long as six months post administration. In animals with loss of the organ of Corti, there was unusually intense staining for gentamicin in root cells of the spiral ligament, in marginal cells of the stria vascularis, and in cells of the spiral limbus. Dark staining of surviving cells in cases with overt tissue destruction suggests that variability in the extent of damage caused by the drug was determined more by the degree of its local uptake than by differences in animals' capacities to metabolize the drug systemically. The present results show that gentamicin may damage or destroy all cochlear cells following a single round window application. The findings broaden the scope of our knowledge of cochlear gentamicin uptake and damage and have implications for treatment of patients with vestibular disorders by infusion of aminoglycosides into the middle ear, as well as implications for prospects of rehabilitating patients that have been deafened by aminoglycosides.     

Gentamicin Pharmacokinetics in the Chicken Inner Ear

Avians have the unique ability to regenerate cochlear hair cells that are lost due to ototoxins or excessive noise. Many methodological techniques are available to damage the hair cells for subsequent scientific study. A recent method utilizes topical application of an ototoxic drug to the round window membrane. The current study examines the pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in the inner ear of chickens following topical application to the round window membrane or a single systemic high dose given intraperitoneally. Chickens were given gentamicin topically or systemically and survived for 1, 4, 12, 24, or 120 h (controls at 4 and 120 h). Serum and perilymph samples were obtained prior to sacrifice and measured for gentamicin levels. Results revealed higher levels of gentamicin in the perilymph of topically treated chickens than systemically treated chickens, with significant amounts of gentamicin still present in both at the latest survival time of 5 days. As expected, systemically treated chickens had much higher levels of gentamicin in the serum than topically treated chickens. Advantages and disadvantages to each method of drug administration are discussed.     

Bacterial tympanogenic labyrinthitis, meningitis, and sensorineural damage.

Pathologic changes (sensorineural hearing loss, labyrinthitis, meningitis) can follow otitis media. Various macromolecular substances demonstrably enter the inner ear via the round window membrane, but its permeability to bacteria is less known. We inoculated Streptococcus pneumoniae type 7F bilaterally into the middle ears of two groups of chinchillas, with and without grafted round window membranes. Inner ears of inoculated animals were observed by light and electron microscopy. None with continuous grafts had labyrinthitis. Bacteria penetrated all three layers of nongrafted round window membranes and into all cochlear turns, entering Schuknecht's channels and following neuronal pathways; nerves were often degenerated, hair cells were damaged or missing, and the stria vascularis was edematous and hemorrhagic. The neural damage suggests a mechanism for the hearing loss that can follow otitis media. Absence of labyrinthitis and meningitis in grafted animals suggests a tympanogenic pathway for the bacteria.     

Concentration gradient along the scala tympani after local application of gentamicin to the round window membrane

OBJECTIVES: The distribution of gentamicin along the fluid spaces of the cochlea after local applications has never previously been demonstrated. Computer simulations have predicted that significant basal-apical concentration gradients might be expected, and histologic studies indicate that hair cell damage is greater at the base than at the apex after local gentamicin application. In the present study, gradients of gentamicin along the cochlea were measured. METHODS: A recently developed method of sampling perilymph from the cochlear apex of guinea pigs was used in which the samples represent fluid originating from different regions along the scala tympani. Gentamicin concentration was determined in sequential apical samples that were taken after up to 3 hours of local application to the round window niche. RESULTS: Substantial gradients of gentamicin along the length of the scala tympani were demonstrated and quantified, averaging more than 4,000 times greater concentration at the base compared with the apex at the time of sampling. Peak concentrations and gradients for gentamicin varied considerably between animals, likely resulting from variations in round window membrane permeability and rates of perilymph flow. CONCLUSIONS: The large gradients for gentamicin demonstrated here in guinea pigs account for how it is possible to suppress vestibular function in some patients with a local application of gentamicin without damaging auditory function. Variations in round window membrane permeability and in perilymph flow could account for why hearing losses are observed in some patients.     

Microperforation and removal of the round window membrane. Short- and long-term study in animal experiments using electrocochleography and evoked response audiometry

Our earlier animal experiments on guinea pigs showed that instrumental perforation of the round window membrane by a 0.2 mm platinum wire leads to an instant loss of the inner ear functions. The membrane defect healed in a few days, the cochlear structures remained intact, and the compound action potential of the auditory nerve and the brain-stem responses could be evoked again with normal latency times within 2 weeks. 1. In the studies reported here we first carried out microperforations with a 1 micron needle electrode, which caused no changes of the hearing potentials (cochlear microphonics, compound action potential of the auditory nerve, brain-stem responses), and no visible defect of the round window membrane and no perilymph outflow. 2. The removal of the round window membrane and the withdrawal of the perilymph led to a loss of the cochlear microphonics and to a considerable increase of the latency times of wave I (Jewett). The hearing potential regained their original values after 2 weeks without closure of the round window niche. The round window membrane had regenerated spontaneously and the scala tympani was again filled with perilymph. After covering the round window niche with a connective tissue graft, the hearing potentials regained their original values after 2 weeks, as they had done without cover of the round window niche. The round window membrane regenerated below the tissue graft and the scala tympani was also filled again with perilymph.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Tolerability of N-chlorotaurine in the guinea pig middle ear: a pilot study using an improved application system

The tissue tolerance of N-chlorotaurine (NCT), a mild endogenous antimicrobial oxidant, has been investigated by application to the guinea pig middle ear. The animals were implanted with a novel cannula system that allows chronic external drug delivery to the round window niche. In the first part of the study, 3 animals each received 100 microL of 0.1% NCT (5.5 mmol/L) and 1% NCT, respectively, in aqueous solution twice daily for 8 days. In the second part, NCT was dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline solution to 300 milliosmolar (isotonic), and 27 microL was injected in 3 additional animals twice daily for 7 days. The guinea pigs injected with 100 microL of NCT developed immediate dizziness and nystagmus and did not thrive. Other reactions included mucosal thickening in the middle ear, rupture of the tympanic membrane, and blood and gelatinous material in the cochlea accompanied by hair cell loss and a 10- to 90-dB elevation of the hearing threshold as determined by auditory brain stem responses. The effects seemed to be dose-dependent, but the rate of variability was high across animals. In contrast, the guinea pigs treated with 27 microL of isotonic NCT showed no signs of discomfort, no or only moderate thickening of the middle ear mucosa, no shift of the hearing threshold, and no hair cell loss. Positive control animals injected with 10% neomycin sulfate developed extensive hair cell loss. Provided that the membranes of the inner ear are intact and that low single-dose volumes are used to avoid increased middle ear pressure, isotonic NCT seems to be well tolerated in the tympanic cavity. The new drug delivery system proved to be advantageous for ototoxicity studies.     

Ototoxicity of topically applied gentamicin using a statistical analysis of electrophysiological measurement.

Ototoxicity of topically applied gentamicin was studied in guinea pigs. 0.3% gentamicin was instilled in one side of the middle ear cavity and Ringer's solution was instilled in the other side, and the difference in the cochlear microphonics measured with the round window electrode was analysed statistically. Instillation of Ringer's solution in the middle ear cavity for 1 day did not cause any significant sensorineural hearing loss, but on the 3rd day of instillation significantly reduced responses were observed, compared with the responses from non-treated ears, followed by a partial recovery starting on the 4th day. When gentamicin 0.3% was instilled into the middle ear cavity, significant deafness occurred 24 hours later, and highly significant deafness on the 2nd and 3rd day. The usage of gentamicin ear drops of the current formula should be discouraged until a better formula is provided.     

Involvement of the mitochondrial permeability transition in gentamicin ototoxicity

Aminoglycosides may induce irreversible hearing loss in both animals and humans. In order to study the nature and mechanisms underlying gentamicin-induced cell death in the inner ear, the cochlear neurosensory epithelia were dissected from guinea pigs and incubated with 0.5-10 mM gentamicin. Concentration-dependent loss of cell viability was detected by the inability of damaged cells to exclude propidium iodide. Outer hair cells were most sensitive towards gentamicin toxicity, followed by inner hair cells whereas Deiters and Hensen cells were not affected by the gentamicin concentrations used. The iron chelators 2,2'-dipyridyl and deferoxamine provided partial protection against gentamicin-induced hair cell death while the calcium chelator Quin-2 AM had no effect. Gentamicin (0.5-1 mM) induced condensation of chromatin typical for apoptosis. Using the fluorescent dye tetramethyl-rhodamine methyl ester and laser scanning microscopy we could visualize a loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential in damaged outer hair cells about 1 h before cell death occurred. Cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability pore, provided partial protection against gentamicin toxicity. This strongly suggests an involvement of the mitochondrial permeability transition in gentamicin-induced apoptosis.     

Protective effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor against the ototoxicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A

OBJECTIVE: The protective effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) against the ototoxicity resulting from exposure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (PaExoA) to the middle ear was analyzed. The combined effect of BDNF and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was also investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six groups of albino rats were instilled through the tympanic membrane into the round window niche with the following solutions: saline; PaExoA; BDNF; L-NAME; PaExoA + BDNF; and PaExoA + BDNF + L-NAME. Frequency-specific (2-31.5 kHz) auditory brainstem responses were used to obtain the hearing thresholds before and 2, 5 and 15 days after instillation. RESULTS: PaExoA penetrated from the middle ear into the cochlea, causing initially mixed hearing loss, followed by persistent sensorineural hearing loss. This impairment was blocked by BDNF at 6, 8 and 10 kHz on Day 2 and at 8 kHz on Day 5. L-NAME given in combination with BDNF did not show any additional protective effect. There were no significant differences in the thickness of the round window membrane between control ears and those in each instillation group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that BDNF may protect against cochlear damage caused by PaExoA in the middle turns of the ear.     

Vestibular destruction by slow infusion of gentamicin into semicircular canals

Intratympanic or round window application of gentamicin is often used to alleviate disabling vertigo arising from unilateral Meniere's disease; however, treatment is often accompanied by hearing loss because the drug initially enters the cochlea before diffusing to the vestibular system. In order to enhance vestibular damage and reduce the risk of hearing loss, gentamicin was infused directly into the vestibular system. An osmotic pump containing 50, 100, 200 or 400 microg/ml of gentamicin was infused into the superior semicircular canal of the chinchilla for 7 days. Afterwards, vestibular damage was evaluated by measuring the decline in hair cell density in the utricle, saccule and superior semicircular canals. Auditory damage was assessed with distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and outer hair cell (OHC) and inner hair cell (IHC) loss. Infusion with the two lowest gentamicin concentrations resulted in significant hair cell loss and reduced duration of the nystagmus response, but had little or no effect on OHC or DPOAE. Higher doses of gentamicin damaged cochlear hair cells and reduced the DPOAE. In conclusion, slow infusion of a low dose of gentamicin into the semicircular canals mainly damages the vestibular hair cells and inactivates the nystagmus response without damaging cochlear hair cells or DPOAE.     

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。     

The role of antioxidants in protection from ototoxic drugs

A number of studies have shown that cisplatin and gentamicin ototoxic effects may result from free radical-mediated damage due to the reduction of antioxidant substances and an increased lipid peroxidation. The authors summarize the results obtained evaluating the auditory and vestibular functions and the inner ear hair cell morphology and survival after administration of antioxidant agents against cisplatin and gentamicin. In the first experiment, albino guinea pigs were treated with gentamicin (100 mg/kg per day, i.m.) alone or gentamicin (100 mg/kg per day, i.m.) plus alpha-tocopherol (100 mg/kg per day, i.m.) for 2 weeks. In a second experiment, albino guinea pigs were injected with cisplatin (2.5 mg/kg per day) or cisplatin (2.5 mg/kg per day) plus tiopronin (300 mg/kg) for 6 days. Electrocochleographic recordings were made from an implanted round window electrode. In all experiments compound action potentials (CAPs) were measured at 2-16 kHz. Changes in cochlear function were characterized as CAP threshold shifts. To evaluate vestibular function, the animals underwent sinusoidal oscillations in the dark about their vertical and longitudinal axes to evoke horizontal and vertical vestibulo-ocular reflexes (VOR). Frequency stimulation parameters ranged from 0.02 to 0.4 Hz and peak-to-peak amplitude was 20 degrees. Morphological changes were analysed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Both hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction induced by gentamicin were significantly attenuated by alpha-tocopherol. However, tiopronin co-therapy slowed the progression of hearing loss in cisplatin-treated animals and significantly attenuated the final threshold shifts. Cisplatin had little effect on the hair cells of cristae ampullares and maculae. Vestibular function was completely preserved in tiopronin co-treated animals. In conclusion, antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol or tiopronin interfere with gentamicin and cisplatin damage and this suggests that they may be useful in preventing oto-vestibulotoxicity. Therefore, it is important to develop protective strategies that permit the avoidance of the toxic side effects of these drugs without interfering with their therapeutic effects.     

特异性损伤内耳螺旋神经元小鼠模型的建立

目的：建立小鼠内耳螺旋神经元损伤的耳聋模型,为研究干细胞移植治疗感音神经性聋奠定基础。方法成年雌性SPF级CBA／J小鼠60只,随机分为实验组和生理盐水组,每组30只,实验组动物经圆窗渗透给予10μl哇巴因（ouabain）,生理盐水组同法给予等量生理盐水。每组于给药前及给药后7、14及30天分别检测小鼠听性脑干反应（ABR）和畸变产物耳声发射（DPOAE）,并用免疫组织荧光技术和基底膜铺片技术分别观察耳蜗螺旋神经元（spiral ganglion neurons ,SGNs）细胞及内耳毛细胞（hair cells ,HCs）的变化。结果①与生理盐水组比较,实验组给药后各时间点 ABR反应阈均明显升高,波Ⅰ潜伏期延长,振幅明显降低,差异有统计学意义（ P＜0．05）。②实验组及生理盐水组小鼠DPOAE均可正常引出。③与生理盐水组相比,实验组耳蜗各回螺旋神经元的数量及密度显著降低,差异有统计学意义（P＜0．05）。④实验组在给药后不同时间点,耳蜗各回内、外毛细胞均排列整齐、形态完整、未见明显损伤或丢失。结论哇巴因经圆窗渗透给药可特异性损伤CBA／J小鼠内耳螺旋神经元及其功能,而不损伤内、外毛细胞,是一种理想的研究干细胞移植治疗感音神经性聋的动物模型。     

先天性外耳道骨性闭锁患者人工耳蜗植入的手术分析

目的探讨先天性外耳道骨性闭锁行人工耳蜗植入患者的听力学检查、影像学特征及手术径路的选择。方法收集2015年7月—2019年1月诊治的5例先天性外耳道骨性闭锁行人工耳蜗植入术的患者,回顾性分析其病史、听力学检查、影像学特征及手术径路。结果5例患者听力均表现为重度感音神经性聋。影像学表现为外耳道骨性闭锁,伴听骨链畸形,面神经走形异常,均无内耳畸形。5例患者均采用鼓窦径路,其中2例患者经面神经后下植入人工耳蜗。所有患者均为圆窗膜植入,植入电极过程顺利,术后开机反应佳。结论针对外耳道骨性闭锁畸形需行人工耳蜗植入的患者,应采用外耳道骨性闭锁的鼓窦径路的手术方式,开放部分乳突及鼓窦,取出畸形的听骨链,在此基础上,进一步暴露圆窗龛。对于面神经乳突段前移,完全遮挡圆窗龛的患者,则可转经面神经后下暴露圆窗龛。     

Round window gentamicin application: an inner ear hair cell damage protocol for the mouse

It is important to develop an inner ear damage protocol for mice that avoids systemic toxicity and produces damage in a relatively rapid fashion, allowing for study of early cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for hair cell death and those that underlie the lack of hair cell regeneration in mammals. Ideally, this damage protocol would reliably produce both partial and complete lesions of the sensory epithelium. We present a method for in vivo induction of hair cell damage in the mouse via placement of gentamicin-soaked Gelfoam in the round window niche of the inner ear, an adaptation of a method developed to study hair cell regeneration in chicks. A total of 82 subjects underwent the procedure. Variable doses of gentamicin were used (25, 50, 100 and 200 microg). Saline-soaked Gelfoam, sham-operations and the contralateral, non-operated cochlea were used as controls. Survival periods were 1, 3 and 14 days. Damage was assessed on scanning electron microscopy. We found that this method produces relatively rapid hair cell damage that varies with dose and can extend the entire length of the sensory epithelium. In addition, this protocol produces no systemic toxicity and preserves the contralateral ear as a control.     

Long-term results of gentamicin inner ear perfusion in Ménière's disease

Chemical perfusion of the inner ear is an increasingly popular treatment for Ménière's disease. The authors report on the long-term results of 22 patients treated with gentamicin delivered via a round window micro-catheter. Patients with Ménière's disease underwent continuous, low dose (10 mg/ml) gentamicin infusion at 5 microlitre per hour for 10 days, through a micro-catheter placed into the round window niche. Vertigo was controlled in 95 per cent, whilst preserving hearing in 77 per cent. Hearing improved in three patients. Three patients with pre-operative serviceable hearing (PTA < 50 db) demonstrated reduced hearing; two patients with pre-operative non-serviceable hearing developed a dead ear. Tinnitus and aural fullness remained unchanged or improved in 86 per cent and 68 per cent respectively. Long-term vertigo control can be achieved using low dose gentamicin, whilst preserving hearing and vestibular function in the majority of patients. This procedure appears to stabilize the vestibular function, enhancing the chance of effective vestibular rehabilitation.     

Does erythropoietin augment noise induced hearing loss?

Noise-induced hearing loss may result from excessive release of glutamate, nitrogen oxide and reactive oxygen species. The effects of these factors on the inner ear may potentially be prevented or reduced by erythropoietin (EPO), as indicated by previously demonstrated neuro-protective effects of EPO upon damage to the central nervous system and the retina. This paper reports three separate trials, conducted to investigate the hypothesis that noise-induced hearing loss is prevented or reduced by erythropoietin. The trials employed three different modes of drug application, different administration time windows and different rodent species. In trial 1, guinea pigs were exposed to 110dB SPL, 4-20kHz wide band noise (WBN) for 8h. EPO was administered to the round window membrane 24h after noise exposure, either sustained by pump for a week or by single dose middle ear instillation. In trial 2, rats were exposed to 105dB SPL, 4-20kHz WBN for 8h. EPO was administered by single dose middle ear instillation 1 or 14h after noise exposure. In trial 3, rats were exposed to 105dB SPL, 4-20kHz WBN for 8 or 3x8h. EPO was injected intraperitoneally 1h before noise exposure. Oto-acoustic emissions and auditory brainstem responses (at 16kHz) were recorded before and after noise exposure in all trials. The noise exposure induced a hearing loss in all animals. In trial 1, no recovery and no improvement of hearing occurred in any treatment group. In trial 2 and 3, a partial hearing recovery was seen. However, the hearing loss of the EPO treated animals was significantly worse than controls in trial 2. In trial 3, the hearing of the EPO treated animals exposed for 3x8h was significantly worse than controls. Thus, surprisingly, the results from 2 of the 3 present trials indicate that erythropoietin may in fact augment noise-induced hearing loss. This is contradictory to the beneficial effect of EPO reported by the vast majority of studies on stressed neural tissues. EPO administration may alter the blood flow dynamics of the cochlear vascular bed during or after noise exposure, by a potential induction of vasoconstriction. This may be the cause of the surprising findings.     

不同种属实验动物耳蜗毛细胞年龄相关性缺失的不同模式

目的 展示自然衰老和耳聋相关基因遗传缺陷之间耳蜗毛细胞缺失的不同模式。方法 用不同龄的长尾猴、南美栗鼠、豚鼠、Sprague-Dawley 大鼠、CBA/CaJ 小鼠、C57BL/6J 小鼠、A/J小鼠、DBA/2J 小鼠和侏儒灰色突变纯合子 (dwg/dwg) 小鼠作为受试对象。所有测试动物的耳蜗基底膜都被制作成平坦的耳蜗基底膜铺片。沿着耳蜗基底膜的全长,基底膜上所有的内外毛细胞都被完整计数,毛细胞的计数结果被输入到耳蜗图软件并自动生成每组实验条件的平均耳蜗图。结果 在天然衰老的动物中,耳蜗毛细胞的缺失总是发生在老年阶段。与此不同的是,在耳聋相关基因缺陷的动物中,耳蜗毛细胞的缺失却是发生在青年阶段甚至幼年阶段。发生在天然老化动物的耳蜗毛细胞缺失总是呈均匀分布或从耳蜗的顶回向底回扩展。 但是,发生在具有耳聋相关基因遗传缺陷动物的耳蜗毛细胞缺失却通常表现为从耳蜗的底回向顶回扩展。结论 本实验观察结果表明,发生在天然衰老的不具备耳聋相关基因缺陷动物身上的年龄相关性耳蜗毛细胞缺失反映的是真正由衰老引起的耳蜗退化性病变,而发生在伴有耳聋相关基因遗传缺陷的年幼动物身上的年龄相关性耳蜗毛细胞缺失可能与耳聋相关基因的遗传缺陷有关。