Control of chronic otitis media and sensorineural hearing loss in C3H/HeJ mice: glucocorticoids vs mineralocorticoids.
OBJECTIVE
The impact of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids on chronic otitis media (COM) in toll-like receptor 4-deficient C3H/HeJ mice was investigated.


METHODS
To evaluate control of COM by steroids with differences in their anti-inflammatory (prednisolone, dexamethasone), and fluid absorption functions (fludrocortisone, aldosterone). A minimum sample size of five animals for each group was required based on power analysis calculations. Sample sizes ranged from 7 to 17 mice per treatment group.


METHODS
Auditory brain stem response (ABR) thresholds were performed at baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Histopathologic test results were evaluated on all mice ears at the end of the study.


RESULTS
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of ABR threshold change showed significant treatment effects (P < 0.05) by both steroid types at all time intervals and ABR frequencies except 4 weeks/8 kHz. Histologic assessment showed prednisolone-treated mice (62%) had a higher rate of clearance of middle and inner ear inflammation than control mice (4%).


CONCLUSIONS
It was concluded that steroid treatments can improve the physiology of chronic middle and inner ear disease seen with COM.
MacArthur
Carol J
CJ
Oregon Hearing Research Center, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA. macarthc@ohsu.edu
Kempton
J Beth
JB
DeGagne
Jacqueline
J
Trune
Dennis R
DR
D000450:Aldosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005438:Fludrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008901:Mineralocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008901:Mineralocorticoids; D000450:Aldosterone; D003907:Dexamethasone; D011239:Prednisolone; D005438:Fludrocortisone