ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of Erlong Zuoci Pills on AQP4 expression in cochlear tissue of mice with elderly kidney deficiency deafness;To discuss the action mechanism. Methods Intraperitoneal injection of hydrocortisone method was used to duplicate mice models with kidney deficiency except the normal control group. After the models were established, mice were divided into model group and TCM group, 16 mice in each group. TCM group was gavaged by Erlong Zuoci Pills, model group and normal control group were gavaged by normal saline for 22 d. Cochlear stretched preparation technology was used to observe morphological changes in cochlear inner and outer hair cells, and supporting cells. Immunohistochemistry and Western bolt were used to detect protein expression of AQP4. Results Compared with normal control group, mice in model group missed inner and outer hair cells and supporting cells of the cochlea. Compared with model group, arrangement of cochlear inner and outer hair cells and supporting cells was neat and boundary was clear in TCM group. Compared with model group, protein expression of AQP4 in cochlear tissues in TCM group increased (P<0.01). There was no difference between TCM group and normal control group. Conclusion Erlong Zuoci Pills have significant therapeutic effect for elderly kidney deficiency deafness, and the treatment is related to the upregulation of protein expression of AQP4 in cochlear tissues.