[The effect of vitamin E on histopathologic healing and lipid peroxidation levels in experimentally induced traumatic tympanic membrane perforations].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the favorable effects of vitamin E on tympanic membrane perforations induced mechanically in guinea pigs.


METHODS
Bilateral tympanic membrane perforations of 1.8 mm were induced in 40 guinea pigs. The animals were randomly divided into two groups equal in number. One group remained untreated, while the other was administered vitamin E (100 mg/kg/day) through intramuscular injections. On days 1, 3, 5, and 7, five animals in each group were randomly sacrificed. Histopathologic changes in the tympanic membranes were evaluated and malondialdehyde levels were determined.


RESULTS
Significant increases were observed in epithelial thickness, fibroblastic proliferation, and neovascularization in the study group (p<0.05). Epithelial thickness was found to be increased in both groups beginning from the first day; however, this increase was more rapid in the study group. Although malondialdehyde levels showed significant increases on days 3 and 5 in both groups (p<0.05), they returned to the first day values in vitamin E-treated animals on day 7, whereas controls still maintained high malondialdehyde levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin E hastens the healing process of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations.
Department of Otolaryngology (KBB Kliniği), Elaziğ SSK Hospital, Turkey. susam@rt.net.tr
Nihat
N
Susaman
Sinasi
S
Yalçin
Nevin
N
Ilhan
I Hanifi
IH
Ozercan
Irfan
I
Kaygusuz
Turgut
T
Karlidağ
Uzeyir
U
Gök
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000293:injuries*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D008315:Malondialdehyde