Does a reduction of adhesion molecules by LDL-apheresis have a role in the treatment of sudden hearing loss?
Sudden hearing loss (SHL) is a highly disabling affliction that can severely affect the subject's social and relational life. Although the etiology of the complaint is still debated, it is thought that microcirculation disturbances conditioned by an endothelial dysfunction might be the main pathogenetic mechanism. Adhesion molecules favoring interaction between leukocytes and endothelial cells are early markers of endothelial damage. In the present report, we describe a case of SHL that derived evident benefit from a single session of LDL/fibrinogen apheresis, with complete hearing recovery. In this patient, in addition to reducing LDL cholesterol and fibrinogen, the circulating adhesion molecules (sE-selectin, sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1), previously present in higher than normal concentrations, were reduced by the treatment.
Ramunni
Alfonso
A
Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal and Public Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Quaranta
Nicola
N
Saliani
Maria Teresa
MT
Fallacara
Rosa Anna
RA
Ria
Roberto
R
Ranieri
Giuseppe
G
D001781:Blood Component Removal / Q000379:methods*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D005340:Fibrinogen