THE ANTI-OTOTOXIC EFFECT OF IMINOETHYL-LYSINE ON GUINEA PIG'S COCHLEA DAMAGED BY GENTAMI- CIN / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

The object of this study was to investigate the anti-ototoxic effect of iminoethyl-lysine on cochlea of guinea pig damaged by gen-tamicin. The experiment consisted of three groups normal control group, experimental treatment control group and experimental treatment group. Guinea pigs of the latter two groups were subjected to hypodermic injection of gentamicin, at the same time guinea pigs of the experimental treatment group were treated with intraperitoneal injection of iminoethyl-lysine. while guinea pigs of the experimental control group were treated with the same volume of saline. Guinea pigs of the normal control group were treated with hypodermic and intraperitoneal injection of the same volume of saline as that of the other two groups. The expression of iNOS was examined in the cochleas of all groups by immunohisto-chemistry. ABR hearing threshold shift were examined, and the damage of hair cells of cochleas of all groups was investigated by scanning electronic microscopy. The results showed that iNOS expression was negative in cochleas of the normal control group, and positive in that of other two groups. The expression of iNOS in the experimental control group was much more stronger than that of the experimental treatment group. The ABR threshold shift of the experimental treatment group was much more lower than that of the experimental control group. The damage of cochlea of the experimental control group was much more severe than that of the experimental treatment group. These results suggest that the expression of iNOS is positive in gentamicin-damaged cochleas. Iminoethyl-lysine has significant anti-ototoxic effect on the cochlea damaged by gentamicin, suggesting nitric oxide plays a very important part in the process of the cochlea injury by gentamicin.