title: The NO/ONOO- cycle as the etiological mechanism of tinnitus.
abstract: Peripheral tinnitus is a good candidate for inclusion under the NO/ONOO cycle etiological mechanism, fitting each of the five principles of this mechanism. Cases of tinnitus are initiated by at least 11 short-term stressors increasing nitric oxide or other cycle mechanisms. Such cycle elements as N-methyl-D-aspartate activity; oxidative stress; nitric oxide; peroxynitrite; vanilloid activity; NF-kappaB activity; and intracellular calcium levels are all reported to be elevated in tinnitus. Tinnitus is comorbid with some putative NO/ONOO- cycle diseases. Most important, multiple agents that down-regulate NO/ONOO- cycle biochemistry are reported to be helpful in the treatment of tinnitus and related diseases. Previous studies suggested that NO/ONOO cycle diseases may be best treated with complex combinations of agents predicted to lower NO/ONOO- cycle biochemistry, and such combinations may be helpful in tinnitus treatment. Other inner-ear-related defects, such as acute or progressive hearing loss, vertigo, and dizziness, may also be NO/ONOO cycle diseases.
authors.affiliation: School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-4234, USA. martin_pall@wsu.edu
authors.forename: Martin L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Pall
authors.forename: Sabrina A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bedient
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003051:Cochlea / Q000503:physiopathology; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D028361:Mitochondrial Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D018777:Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D026361:Reactive Nitrogen Species / Q000502:physiology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D026361:Reactive Nitrogen Species; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D002118:Calcium