title: Age-related cochlear cytokine gene expression in the BALB/cJ mouse with systemic versus intratympanic dosing of steroid drugs.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  Age-related differences in the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the inner ear may contribute to the development of age-related hearing loss (ARHL).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  ARHL is characterized by tissue remodeling, ischemia, ion homeostasis, and inflammation. Steroid therapy is an otoprotective strategy that likely acts by reducing inflammation. We examined age-related changes in cytokine gene expression in the cochlea of the BALB/cJ mouse model of premature ARHL after systemic or intratympanic steroid delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  'Young' (2.5-3 months) and 'Old' (5-9 months) mice were treated with dexamethasone or fludrocortisone administered either orally or intratympanically. Cytokine gene expression in cochlear RNA was analyzed using prefabricated cDNA arrays. Old groups were compared to Young groups to identify age-related changes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Down-regulation of a cytokine associated with bone remodeling (SPP1) was observed in the untreated Old group. Numerous genes were up- or down-regulated by more than twofold by steroid treatment, including proinflammatory interleukins (IL-16) and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Meriter Hospital, Madison, WI 53715, USA.
authors.forename: Sara A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Tokarz
authors.forename: Jiaqing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grosz
authors.forename: J Beth
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kempton
authors.forename: Dennis R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Trune
authors.forename: De-Ann M
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Pillers
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005438:Fludrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007322:Instillation, Drug; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D023421:Models, Animal; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011897:Random Allocation; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005438:Fludrocortisone