Experimental study on polyaspartic acid inhibition of gentamicin-induced generation of reactive oxygen species in guinea pig cochlea]

OBJECTIVE: To observe the polyaspartic acid(PAA) inhibition of gentamicin-induced reactive oxygen species generation in cochlea of guinea pig and to investigate the protective mechanism of polyaspartic acid on gentamicin ototoxicity. METHODS: Eighty-eight guinea pigs were divided randomly into four groups (GM, PAA + GM, PAA, and Saline). Gentamicin-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in cochlear tissue was detected directly with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry at 1st, 5th and 10th day after administration of the drugs. At the same time, ABRs of guinea pigs were recorded and ultrastructural changes of lysosomes in the cochlear hair cells were observed with transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: 1. At 1st day after administration of PAA and GM, there was some increase in EPR spectrometry in group GM and PAA + GM, There was no significant difference of ABR thresholds and ultrastructural changes of lysosomes in the cochlear hair cells among four groups(P > 0.05). 2. At 5th day, there was significant increase in of EPR spectrometry in group I (37.74 +/- 4.10, P < 0.01). At 10th day after administration of PAA and GM, there was no significant difference in EPR spectrometry among four groups (P > 0.05). In GM group, ultrastructural changes of lysosomes beneath cuticular plate of cochlear hair cells were more significant at 10th day than those at 5th day, including the increased number and volume of lysosome. In group GM, the longer the gentamicin administrated, the more significant increase in ABR thresholds had been noted. CONCLUSION: PAA significantly inhibits gentamicin-induced reactive oxygen species generation in cochlea of guinea pig, which showed that PAA has protective effect on gentamicin-ototoxicity and -phospholipidosis in guinea pigs.