title: The role of soluble adhesion molecules and cytokines in sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The underlying pathology of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is still not completely understood. Inflammatory and vascular factors are part of the present discussion. The aim of this study was to learn more about the possible role of adhesion molecules and cytokines in patients with SSNHL. These molecules are thought to contribute to endothelial dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study with planned data collection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples of 35 patients presenting with SSNHL of more than 30 dB in at least 3 contiguous frequencies were compared to a gender- and age-matched control group of normal-hearing subjects. Levels of the soluble adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), endothelial selectin (E-selectin), and concentration of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) were measured using established enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. These parameters as well as fibrinogen and lipid values were statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of soluble ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 were not significantly elevated in patients with SSNHL. The clinical chemistry and hematologic determinations showed no significant differences between patients and control subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed no association concerning SSNHL and typical vascular risk factors such as lipids and fibrinogen. Soluble adhesion molecules were not elevated in the SSNHL group. The role of endothelial dysfunction represented by increased levels of soluble adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of SSNHL remains unclear. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the vascular etiology of SSNHL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. frank.haubner@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Haubner
authors.forename: Ludwig
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Steffens
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strutz
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kleinjung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood*; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000097:blood; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D019040:E-Selectin; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1