Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions and glycerol on the guinea pig hydropic ear.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present work was to investigate the therapeutic effects of glycerol on the distortion-product otoacoustic emissions in guinea pigs in which experimental endolymphatic hydrops had been surgically induced.


METHODS
Thirty albino guinea pigs were used. The experimental protocol considered three groups of guinea pigs (10 animals each). Group 1 received no drug treatment, while group 2 and 3 were given glycerol orally 0.75 and 0.50 g/kg of body weight once a day for 24 days.


RESULTS
The animals treated with glycerol showed an improvement of the distortion-product emission responses in the middle frequencies. This effect was not observed in the higher frequency region. This effect was evident 7 days after glycerol administration in the guinea pigs treated with a dose of 0.75 g/kg. The 0.50 g/kg dosage gave evidence of ameliorating effects 14 days after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Glycerol given orally resulted in an improvement of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions in the guinea pig. Further studies are necessary before the effect of such a treatment can be assessed in humans.
Magliulo
G
G
IVth ENT Clinic, Rome, Italy.
Cianfrone
G
G
Musacchio
A
A
Vingolo
G M
GM
Petti
R
R
Cristofari
P
P
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D003051:Cochlea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018159:Endolymphatic Hydrops; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male
D005990:Glycerol