Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Low Level Laser Irradiation on Gentamicin-Induced Vestibulotoxicity in Rat Utricles / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low level laser for the prevention and treatment of aminoglycoside-induced vestibular ototoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHOD: An organotypic culture of 2 to 4 days old rat utricular maculae was established. Rats were divided into 6 groups according to the treadtment of the utricles G (gentamicintreated), L (laser-irradiated), LG (laser-irradiated and gentamicin-treated), GL (gentamicin-treated and laser-irradiated), LGL (gentamicin-treated during laser-irradiated) and C (control). After organotypic culture, the utricles of 6 groups were examined by confocal laser scanning electron microscope and scanning electron microscope. The results of each group were compared with each other by statistical methods. RESULTS: The number of vestibular hair cells of the group G was smaller compared to that of the group C. The group L had no difference compared with the group C. The groups LG and GL showed more vestibular hair cells compared with the group G. The group LG showed more vestibular hair cells than the group GL. The group LGL showed most vestibular hair cells compared to that of the groups G, LG, and GL. CONCLUSION: The most effective treatment of aminoglycosideinduced vestibular otoxicity is the irradiation of low level laser before and after the insult of the aminoglycoside. Further clinical studies using low level laser were needed to prevent aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity and to promote the regeneration of vestibular hair cells.