title: Effects of NSAIDs on the Inner Ear: Possible Involvement in Cochlear Protection.
abstract: Cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, two important enzymes involved in arachidonic acid metabolism, are major targets of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Recent investigations suggest that arachidonic cascades and their metabolites may be involved in maintaining inner ear functions. The excessive use of aspirin may cause tinnitus in humans and impairment of the outer hair cell functions in experimental animals. On the other hand, NSAIDs reportedly exhibit protective effects against various kinds of inner ear disorder. The present review summarizes the effects of NSAIDs on cochlear pathophysiology. NSAIDs are a useful ameliorative adjunct in the management of inner ear disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan. tomofumi@tara.tsukuba.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Tomofumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hoshino
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan. ktabuchi@md.tsukuba.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Keiji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tabuchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan. haraakir@md.tsukuba.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hara
keywords: NSAIDs; cochlea; cyclooxygenase; lipoxygenase