Can apelin play a role in the etiology of tinnitus?

Background/aim: Tinnitus is seen in 15% of the general population; in 1%­6% of this number, the quality of life is seriously affected by this chronic condition. Chemical, oxidative, and emotional stressors are important in terms of the clinical course of tinnitus. Apelin is an endogenous peptide which is an oxidative stress mediator. It has been shown that the apelin/APJ (apelin junction receptor) system plays various roles in the physiology and pathophysiology of many organs. However, the role of the apelin/APJ system as an oxidative stress mediator in tinnitus is unknown. We investigated the level of apelin in patients with normal hearing and bilateral tinnitus. Materials and methods: We enrolled patients diagnosed with bilateral idiopathic tinnitus. Tinnitus severity was determined using the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI). We recorded the levels of plasma apelin-13 and biochemical parameters. Results: The mean apelin level of the control group was higher than that of the patient group (P = 0.002). A significant negative correlation was evident between the apelin level and the THI (r = ­0.460, P = 0.003). The triglyceride (TG) level was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In our study, we found a negative correlation between apelin and tinnitus severity. Thus, apelin may play a role in the pathophysiology of idiopathic tinnitus, and may be prescribed during follow-up to reduce oxidative stress in the future. Further clinical studies on the effects of the apelin/APJ (apelin junction receptor) system and the effects of antioxidants in patients with inflammatory diseases are required.

The effect of platelet-rich fibrin membrane on the repair of perforated tympanic membrane: an experimental study.

CONCLUSION: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane could be used successfully in the repair of tympanic membrane perforation and wound healing. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of platelet-rich fibrin membrane in the repair of perforated tympanic membrane. METHODS: After otoscopic examination, a 3-mm perforation was made in the posterior quadrant of both tympanic membranes of 50 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Venous blood was withdrawn from the rats, then centrifuged. PRF was obtained in membrane form. The membrane was placed on the right tympanic membrane perforation. The perforations on the left side were left to spontaneously heal and, thus, formed the control group. Daily examinations were made of 20 rats and the time to healing of the tympanic membrane was recorded. The remaining 30 rats were separated into five groups of six, and histopathological examination was made. Evaluation was made in respect of the presence of oedema in the lamina propria, neovascularization, fibroblastic reaction, and inflammatory cells. RESULTS: The healing time of the tympanic membrane perforation was determined as mean 10.3 ± 2.18 days in the study group applied with PRF and 17 ± 2.40 days in the control group. Higher values in respect of fibrosis and neovascularization were obtained in the study group.

Use of a platelet-rich fibrin membrane to repair traumatic tympanic membrane perforations: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To evaluate the effects of a platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane in the repair of traumatic tympanic membrane (TM) perforations; and (2) to compare the use of a PRF membrane with the paper patch technique with regard to recovery rates, healing time, and correction of the mean air-bone gap. METHODS: A randomized, prospective analysis was performed for 60 patients who were treated for traumatic TM perforations using one of the two methods. Closure rate, speed of healing, and hearing gain were compared between the PRF (Group 1) and paper patch (Group 2) groups. RESULTS: Closure was obtained in 28 (93%) perforations in Group 1 and 25 (83%) perforations in Group 2 (p > 0.05). On day 10, full closure of the TM was observed in 24 (80%) patients in Group 1 and 16 (53%) patients in Group 2 (p < 0.05). The improvement in the mean air-bone gap was 14.1 dB in Group 1 and 12.4 dB in Group 2 on post-operative day 45 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with the paper patch method, PRF, a new method, provided more rapid healing with more successful audiological results, and with no requirement for a second procedure.