[Protective effect of poly DL-aspartic acid on ototoxicity of gentamicin].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the protective effect of poly DL-aspartic acid (PAA) on ototoxicity of gentamicin (GM).


METHODS
Fifty F-344 rats were divided into four groups, GM only PAA + GM, PAA only and saline control. ABR thresholds at different frequencies were measured at different times and hair cell losses were numerated. Two-dimensional diffusion assays in the culture medium were performed to evaluate the effect of PAA on the antimicrobial activity.


RESULTS
Eighteen days after the treatment, ABR thresholds at 10 kHz and 8 kHz as well as hair cell losses in the GM-treated group showed significant differences as compared with other three groups (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
PAA had the protective effect against the cochlear ototoxicity of GM without decreasing its antimicrobial activity.
Guo
Y
Y
Department of Otolaryngology, PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853.
Li
Z
Z
Hu
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D003051:Cochlea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000187:drug effects; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D020011:Protective Agents; D001224:Aspartic Acid