Local application of hepatocyte growth factor using gelatin hydrogels attenuates noise-induced hearing loss in guinea pigs.
CONCLUSIONS
Local application of hepatocyte growth factor using biodegradable gelatin hydrogels attenuates noise-induced hearing loss in guinea pigs.


OBJECTIVE
To develop an inner ear drug delivery system using gelatin hydrogels that is capable of a sustained delivery of growth factors to the cochlea. We examined the efficacy of the local application of gelatin hydrogels containing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in protecting cochlear hair cells from noise-induced damage.


METHODS
A piece of gelatin hydrogel previously immersed in either HGF or saline was placed on the round window membrane of a guinea pig 1 h after noise exposure (4 kHz octave band noise at 120 dB sound pressure level for 3 h). Auditory function was monitored using auditory brainstem responses (ABRs), and the loss of hair cells was evaluated quantitatively.


RESULTS
Local HGF treatment significantly reduced the noise exposure-caused ABR threshold shifts and the loss of outer hair cells in the basal portion of the cochleae.
Inaoka
Takatoshi
T
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Nakagawa
Takayuki
T
Kikkawa
Yayoi S
YS
Tabata
Yasuhiko
Y
Ono
Kazuya
K
Yoshida
Mitsuhiro
M
Tsubouchi
Hirohito
H
Ido
Akio
A
Ito
Juichi
J
D000818:Animals; D001299:Audiometry; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000473:pathology; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male
D020100:Hydrogels; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor