title: Hyperhomocysteinemia, MMPs and Cochlear Function: A Short Review.
abstract: Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY) has been demonstrated to affect cochlear microvasculature as well as cochlear epithelial cells directly, with a resultant alteration of the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Hence, ascertaining the optimum concentration of MMPs and TIMPs in the cochlea could help to inhibit hearing loss due to HHCY by the administration of appropriate MMP inhibitors, Since infections/inflammations as well as ototoxic antibiotics have a similar mechanism of otic pathology, the cochlear damage they cause could also be similarly prevented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhargava
authors.affiliation: Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Meghaa Shanta
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bhargava
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated LNJPN, GNEC and GB Pant Hospitals, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Eishaan Kamta
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Bhargava
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Srivastava
keywords: Cochlea; Hearing loss; Hyperhomocysteinemia; MMPs; TIMPs