Pomegranate extract: a potential protector against aminoglycoside ototoxicity.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effectiveness of pomegranate extract as protection against aminoglycoside ototoxicity.


METHODS
Prospective, randomised, controlled, experimental study.


METHODS
Eighteen Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated to 5 days of either: saline injections; gentamicin injections; or pomegranate extract (100 µl/day via gavage) plus gentamicin injections. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions were tested before treatment and on day 3. After treatment, reactive oxygen species levels were measured in each rat's right cochlea and right kidney via chemiluminescence.


RESULTS
Baseline emission amplitudes were similar. Post-treatment emissions differed significantly in the two treatment groups (p < 0.001). Cochlear reactive oxygen species levels were significantly higher in the gentamicin group (mean ± standard deviation, 316.6 ± 36.5 relative light units per mg) than the gentamicin plus pomegranate extract group (240 ± 24.6 relative light units per mg) (p = 0.004); control group levels were 119.1 ± 10.3 relative light units per mg. Renal reactive oxygen species levels were similar for the control and gentamicin plus pomegranate extract groups (p = 0.59) but much higher in the gentamicin group (p = 0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
Concurrent systemic pomegranate extract administration reduced reactive oxygen species level increases and otoacoustic emission changes, following aminoglycoside injection.
Otorhinolaryngology Department, Medical Faculty, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey.
V
V
Kahya
Otorhinolaryngology Department, Medical Faculty, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey.
B
B
Ozucer
Department of Otolaryngology, Bayrampasa State Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
R
R
Dogan
Otorhinolaryngology Department, Medical Faculty, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey.
A
A
Meric
Medical Laboratory Department, Vocational School of Health Related Professions, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
M
M
Yuksel
Otolaryngology Department, School of Health Related Professions, Kirklareli University, Turkey.
O
O
Gedikli
Otorhinolaryngology Department, Medical Faculty, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey.
O
O
Ozturan
D000617:Aminoglycosides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D003051:Cochlea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D029561:Lythraceae; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D005839:Gentamicins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species