title: An animal model of hearing loss from alpha-difluoromethylornithine.
abstract: alpha-Difluoromethylornithine is a new antineoplastic and antiparasitic drug that inhibits the synthesis of polyamines. It causes a sensorineural hearing loss in humans. We have established an animal model for alpha-difluoromethylornithine-induced hearing loss. The time course for onset and recovery of the hearing loss in animals was similar to that seen in humans. Electrophysiologic and histologic data suggest that the anatomic site of alpha-difluoromethylornithine-induced hearing loss is the organ of Corti. Unlike other drugs with ototoxic effects, the specific enzymatic site of action of alpha-difluoromethylornithine is known, making it a potentially important tool in auditory research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Mattox
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Brownell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000518:Eflornithine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000502:physiology; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000187:drug effects; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000518:Eflornithine