title: Hyaluronan applied to lesioned round window membrane is free from cochlear ototoxicity.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, University Hospital, University of Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laurent
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anniko
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hellström
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D003051:Cochlea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000187:drug effects*; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007322:Instillation, Drug; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012405:Round Window, Ear / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid