Calpain immunoreactivity and morphological damage in chinchilla inner ears after carboplatin

Multifunctional redox modulator prevents blast-induced loss of cochlear and vestibular hair cells and auditory spiral ganglion neurons

Blast wave exposure, a leading cause of hearing loss and balance dysfunction among military personnel, arises primarily from direct mechanical damage to the mechanosensory hair cells and supporting structures or indirectly through excessive oxidative stress. We previously reported that HK-2, an orally active, multifunctional redox modulator (MFRM), was highly effective in reducing both hearing loss and hair cells loss in rats exposed to a moderate intensity workday noise that likely damages the cochlea primarily from oxidative stress versus direct mechanical trauma. To determine if HK-2 could also protect cochlear and vestibular cells from damage caused primarily from direct blast-induced mechanical trauma versus oxidative stress, we exposed rats to six blasts of 186 dB peak SPL. The rats were divided into four groups: (B) blast alone, (BEP) blast plus earplugs, (BHK-2) blast plus HK-2 and (BEPHK-2) blast plus earplugs plus HK-2. HK-2 was orally administered at 50 mg/kg/d from 7-days before to 30-day after the blast exposure. Cochlear and vestibular tissues were harvested 60-d post-exposure and evaluated for loss of outer hair cells (OHC), inner hair cells (IHC), auditory nerve fibers (ANF), spiral ganglion neurons (SGN) and vestibular hair cells in the saccule, utricle and semicircular canals. In the untreated blast-exposed group (B), massive losses occurred to OHC, IHC, ANF, SGN and only the vestibular hair cells in the striola region of the saccule. In contrast, rats treated with HK-2 (BHK-2) sustained significantly less OHC (67%) and IHC (57%) loss compared to the B group. OHC and IHC losses were smallest in the BEPHK-2 group, but not significantly different from the BEP group indicating lack of protective synergy between EP and HK-2. There was no loss of ANF, SGN or saccular hair cells in the BHK-2, BEP and BEPHK-2 groups. Thus, HK-2 not only significantly reduced OHC and IHC damage, but completely prevented loss of ANF, SGN and saccule hair cells. The powerful protective effects of this oral MFRM make HK-2 an extremely promising candidate for human clinical trials.

Axon-glia interactions in the ascending auditory system

The auditory system detects and encodes sound information with high precision to provide a high-fidelity representation of the environment and communication. In mammals, detection occurs in the peripheral sensory organ (the cochlea) containing specialized mechanosensory cells (hair cells) that initiate the conversion of sound-generated vibrations into action potentials in the auditory nerve. Neural activity in the auditory nerve encodes information regarding the intensity and frequency of sound stimuli, which is transmitted to the auditory cortex through the ascending neural pathways. Glial cells are critical for precise control of neural conduction and synaptic transmission throughout the pathway, allowing for the precise detection of the timing, frequency, and intensity of sound signals, including the sub-millisecond temporal fidelity is necessary for tasks such as sound localization, and in humans, for processing complex sounds including speech and music. In this review, we focus on glia and glia-like cells that interact with hair cells and neurons in the ascending auditory pathway and contribute to the development, maintenance, and modulation of neural circuits and transmission in the auditory system. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms of these interactions, their impact on hearing and on auditory dysfunction associated with pathologies of each cell type.

A traditional Chinese medicine compound (Jian Er) for presbycusis in a mouse model: Reduction of apoptosis and protection of cochlear sensorineural cells and hearing

Age-related hearing loss (AHL) or presbycusis is steadily increasing due to the overall aging of the Chinese population. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long been used to prevent and treat deafness, but its effectiveness and mechanism of action are still uncertain. The present study tested a TCM preparation called "Jian Er" in a mouse model of prebycusis.

N-acetyl-cysteine prevents age-related hearing loss and the progressive loss of inner hair cells in γ-glutamyl transferase 1 deficient mice

Genetic factors combined with oxidative stress are major determinants of age-related hearing loss (ARHL), one of the most prevalent disorders of the elderly. Dwarf grey mice, Ggt1^dwg/dwg, are homozygous for a loss of function mutation of the γ-glutamyl transferase 1 gene, which encodes an important antioxidant enzyme critical for the resynthesis of glutathione (GSH). Since GSH reduces oxidative damage, we hypothesized that Ggt1^dwg/dwg mice would be susceptible to ARHL. Surprisingly, otoacoustic emissions and cochlear microphonic potentials, which reflect cochlear outer hair cell (OHC) function, were largely unaffected in mutant mice, whereas auditory brainstem responses and the compound action potential were grossly abnormal. These functional deficits were associated with an unusual and selective loss of inner hair cells (IHC), but retention of OHC and auditory nerve fibers. Remarkably, hearing deficits and IHC loss were completely prevented by N-acetyl-L-cysteine, which induces de novo synthesis of GSH; however, hearing deficits and IHC loss reappeared when treatment was discontinued. Ggt1^dwg/dwgmice represent an important new model for investigating ARHL, therapeutic interventions, and understanding the perceptual and electrophysiological consequences of sensory deprivation caused by the loss of sensory input exclusively from IHC.

Myelin development, plasticity, and pathology in the auditory system

Myelin allows for the rapid and precise timing of action potential propagation along neuronal circuits and is essential for healthy auditory system function. In this article, we discuss what is currently known about myelin in the auditory system with a focus on the timing of myelination during auditory system development, the role of myelin in supporting peripheral and central auditory circuit function, and how various myelin pathologies compromise auditory information processing. Additionally, in keeping with the increasing recognition that myelin is dynamic and is influenced by experience throughout life, we review the growing evidence that auditory sensory deprivation alters myelin along specific segments of the brain's auditory circuit. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 78: 80-92, 2018.

Inner Hair Cell Loss Disrupts Hearing and Cochlear Function Leading to Sensory Deprivation and Enhanced Central Auditory Gain

There are three times as many outer hair cells (OHC) as inner hair cells (IHC), yet IHC transmit virtually all acoustic information to the brain as they synapse with 90–95% of type I auditory nerve fibers. Here we review a comprehensive series of experiments aimed at determining how loss of the IHC/type I system affects hearing by selectively destroying these cells in chinchillas using the ototoxic anti-cancer agent carboplatin. Eliminating IHC/type I neurons has no effect on distortion product otoacoustic emission or the cochlear microphonic potential generated by OHC; however, it greatly reduces the summating potential produced by IHC and the compound action potential (CAP) generated by type I neurons. Remarkably, responses from remaining auditory nerve fibers maintain sharp tuning and low thresholds despite innervating regions of the cochlea with ~80% IHC loss. Moreover, chinchillas with large IHC lesions have surprisingly normal thresholds in quiet until IHC losses exceeded 80%, suggesting that only a few IHC are needed to detect sounds in quiet. However, behavioral thresholds in broadband noise are elevated significantly and tone-in-narrow band noise masking patterns exhibit greater remote masking. These results suggest the auditory system is able to compensate for considerable loss of IHC/type I neurons in quiet but not in difficult listening conditions. How does the auditory brain deal with the drastic loss of cochlear input? Recordings from the inferior colliculus found a relatively small decline in sound-evoked activity despite a large decrease in CAP amplitude after IHC lesion. Paradoxically, sound-evoked responses are generally larger than normal in the auditory cortex, indicative of increased central gain. This gain enhancement in the auditory cortex is associated with decreased GABA-mediated inhibition. These results suggest that when the neural output of the cochlea is reduced, the central auditory system compensates by turning up its gain so that weak signals once again become comfortably loud. While this gain enhancement is able to restore normal hearing under quiet conditions, it may not adequately compensate for peripheral dysfunction in more complex sound environments. In addition, excessive gain increases may convert recruitment into the debilitating condition known as hyperacusis.

Cochlear damage affects neurotransmitter chemistry in the central auditory system

Tinnitus, the perception of a monotonous sound not actually present in the environment, affects nearly 20% of the population of the United States. Although there has been great progress in tinnitus research over the past 25 years, the neurochemical basis of tinnitus is still poorly understood. We review current research about the effects of various types of cochlear damage on the neurotransmitter chemistry in the central auditory system and document evidence that different changes in this chemistry can underlie similar behaviorally measured tinnitus symptoms. Most available data have been obtained from rodents following cochlear damage produced by cochlear ablation, intense sound, or ototoxic drugs. Effects on neurotransmitter systems have been measured as changes in neurotransmitter level, synthesis, release, uptake, and receptors. In this review, magnitudes of changes are presented for neurotransmitter-related amino acids, acetylcholine, and serotonin. A variety of effects have been found in these studies that may be related to animal model, survival time, type and/or magnitude of cochlear damage, or methodology. The overall impression from the evidence presented is that any imbalance of neurotransmitter-related chemistry could disrupt auditory processing in such a way as to produce tinnitus.

OTOTOXIC EFFECTS OF CARBOPLATIN IN ORGANOTYPIC CULTURES IN CHINCHILLAS AND RATS

Carboplatin, a second-generation platinum chemotherapeutic drug, is considerably less ototoxic than cisplatin. While common laboratory species such as mice, guinea pigs and rats are highly resistant to carboplatin ototoxicity, the chinchilla stands out as highly susceptible. Moreover, carboplatin causes an unusual gradient of cell death in chinchillas. Moderate doses selectively damage type I spiral ganglion neurons (SGN) and inner hair cells (IHC) and the lesion tends to be relatively uniform along the length of the cochlea. Higher doses eventually damage outer hair cells (OHC), but the lesion follows the traditional gradient in which damage is more severe in the base than the apex. While carboplatin ototoxicity has been well documented in adult animals in vivo, little is known about its in vitro toxicity. To elucidate the ototoxic effects of carboplatin in vitro, we prepared cochlear and vestibular organotypic cultures from postnatal day 3 rats and adult chinchillas. Chinchilla cochlear and vestibular cultures were treated with carboplatin concentrations ranging from 50 µM to 10 mM for 48 h. Consistent with in vivo data, carboplatin selectively damaged IHC at low concentrations (50-100 µM). Surprisingly, IHC loss decreased at higher doses and IHC were intact at doses exceeding 500 µM. The mechanisms underlying this nonlinear response are unclear but could be related to a decrease in carboplatin uptake via active transport mechanisms (e.g., copper). Unlike the cochlea, the carboplatin dose-response function increased with dose with the highest dose destroying all chinchilla vestibular hair cells. Cochlear hair cells and auditory nerve fibers in rat cochlear organotypic cultures were unaffected by carboplatin concentrations <10 µM; however, the damage in OHC were more severe than IHC once the dose reached 100 µM. A dose at 500 µM destroyed all the cochlear hair cells, but hair cell loss decreased at high concentrations and nearly all the cochlear hair cells were present at the highest dose, 5 mM. Unlike the nonlinear dose-response seen with cochlear hair cells, rat auditory nerve fiber and spiral ganglion losses increased with doses above 50 µM with the highest dose destroying virtually all SGN. The remarkable species differences seen in vitro suggest that chinchilla IHC and type I SGN posse some unique biological mechanism that makes them especially vulnerable to carboplatin toxicity.

Involvement of calpain-I and microRNA34 in kanamycin-induced apoptosis of inner ear cells

Inner ear cells, including hair cells, spiral ganglion cells, stria vascularis cells and supporting cells on the basilar membrane, play a major role in transducing hearing signals and regulating inner ear homoeostasis. However, their functions are often damaged by antibiotic-induced ototoxicity. Apoptosis is probably involved in inner ear cell injury following aminoglycoside treatment. Calpain, a calcium-dependent protease, is essential for mediating and promoting cell death. We have therefore investigated the involvement of calpain in the molecular mechanism underlying ototoxicity induced by the antibiotic kanamycin in mice. Kanamycin (750 mg/kg) mainly induced cell death of cochlear cells, including stria vascularis cells, supporting cells and spiral ganglion cells, but not hair cells within the organ of Corti. Cell death due to apoptosis occurred in a time-dependent manner with concomitant up-regulation of calpain expression. Furthermore, the expression levels of two microRNAs, mir34a and mir34c, were altered in a dose-dependent manner in cochlear cells. These novel findings demonstrated the involvement of both calpain and microRNAs in antibiotic-induced ototoxicity.

Functional and structural changes in the chinchilla cochlea and vestibular system following round window application of carboplatin

OBJECTIVE: In chinchillas, moderate doses of carboplatin administered systemically selectively destroy inner hair cells and type I vestibular hair cells; however, it is unclear whether this unique damage pattern persists if carboplatin is applied directly to the cochlea, how quickly the damage develops and what cell death pathways are involved. STUDY DESIGN: To address these questions, carboplatin (5 mg/ml, 50 µl) was applied to the round window. RESULTS: Carboplatin caused a rapid decline in distortion product otoacoustic emissions, significantly increased compound action potential thresholds and caused massive inner hair cell loss and less severe outer hair cell loss. Hair cell loss was initially more severe in the base than the apex of the cochlea, but by 28 days post-treatment most cochlear hair cells were missing and hair cell density in the utricle, saccule and lateral crista was greatly reduced. At one day post-treatment, many hair cell nuclei were condensed or fragmented indicative of apoptosis, and expressed initiator caspase-8 and executioner caspase-3, but not initiator caspase-9. Carboplatin-treated animals circled towards the treated ear and during the swim test rolled towards the treated ear. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that local application of carboplatin causes loss of hair cells that begins near the base of the cochlea and spreads towards the apex with increasing survival time. Hair cell loss is initiated by caspase-8 followed by executioner caspase-3.

Evaluation of inner hair cell and nerve fiber loss as sufficient pathologies underlying auditory neuropathy

Auditory neuropathy is a hearing disorder characterized by normal function of outer hair cells, evidenced by intact cochlear microphonic (CM) potentials and otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), with absent or severely dys-synchronized auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). To determine if selective lesions of inner hair cells (IHCs) and auditory nerve fibers (ANFs) can account for these primary clinical features of auditory neuropathy, we measured physiological responses from chinchillas with large lesions of ANFs (about 85%) and IHCs (45% loss in the apical half of the cochlea; 73% in the basal half). Distortion product OAEs and CM potentials were significantly enhanced, whereas summating potentials and compound action potentials (CAPs) were significantly reduced. CAP threshold was elevated by 7.5dB, but response synchrony was well preserved down to threshold levels of stimulation. Similarly, ABR threshold was elevated by 5.6dB, but all waves were present and well synchronized down to threshold levels in all animals. Thus, large lesions of IHCs and ANFs reduced response amplitudes but did not abolish or severely dys-synchronize CAPs or ABRs. Pathologies other than or in addition to ANF and IHC loss are likely to account for the evoked potential dys-synchrony that is a clinical hallmark of auditory neuropathy in humans.

Physiological effects of auditory nerve myelinopathy in chinchillas

The goals were to study the physiological effects of auditory nerve myelinopathy in chinchillas and to test the hypothesis that myelin abnormalities could account for auditory neuropathy, a hearing disorder characterized by absent auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) with preserved outer hair cell function. Doxorubicin, a cytotoxic drug used as an experimental demyelinating agent, was injected into the auditory nerve bundle of 18 chinchillas; six other chinchillas were injected with vehicle alone. Cochlear microphonics, compound action potentials (CAPs), inferior colliculus evoked potentials (IC-EVPs), cubic distortion product otoacoustic emissions and ABRs were recorded before and up to 2 months after injection. Cochleograms showed no hair cell loss in any of the animals and measures of outer hair cell function were normal (cubic distortion product otoacoustic emissions) or enhanced (cochlear microphonics) after injection. ABR was present in animals with mild myelin damage (n = 10) and absent in animals with severe myelin damage that included the myelin surrounding spiral ganglion cell bodies and fibers in Rosenthal's canal (n = 8). Animals with mild damage had reduced response amplitudes at 1 day, followed by recovery of CAP and enhancement of the IC-EVP. In animals with severe damage, CAP and IC-EVP thresholds were elevated, amplitudes were reduced, and latencies were prolonged at 1 day and thereafter. CAPs deteriorated over time, whereas IC-EVPs partially recovered; latencies remained consistently prolonged despite changes in amplitudes. The results support auditory nerve myelinopathy as a possible pathomechanism of auditory neuropathy but indicate that myelinopathy must be severe before physiological measures are affected.

Mechanisms of noise-induced hearing loss indicate multiple methods of prevention

Recent research has shown the essential role of reduced blood flow and free radical formation in the cochlea in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The amount, distribution, and time course of free radical formation have been defined, including a clinically significant late formation 7-10 days following noise exposure, and one mechanism underlying noise-induced reduction in cochlear blood flow has finally been identified. These new insights have led to the formulation of new hypotheses regarding the molecular mechanisms of NIHL; and, from these, we have identified interventions that prevent NIHL, even with treatment onset delayed up to 3 days post-noise. It is essential to now assess the additive effects of agents intervening at different points in the cell death pathway to optimize treatment efficacy. Finding safe and effective interventions that attenuate NIHL will provide a compelling scientific rationale to justify human trials to eliminate this single major cause of acquired hearing loss.

Electrophysiological correlates of progressive sensorineural pathology in carboplatin-treated chinchillas

Carboplatin produces progressive damage to auditory nerve fibers, spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and inner hair cells (IHC) in the chinchilla cochlea but leaves outer hair cells intact. Within 1 h after injection, many afferent terminals beneath IHCs and myelin lamellae surrounding SGN processes are vacuolated. One day after injection, approximately half of the nerve fibers are missing. IHCs are intact at 2 days, but 20-30% are missing at 3 days. We studied the electrophysiological correlates of this progressive morphological damage by recording cochlear microphonics (CM), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE), summating potentials (SP), compound action potentials (CAP) and midbrain evoked potentials (IC-EVP) before and 1 h, 12 h, 1 days, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days and 14 days after carboplatin injection (75 mg/kg IP) in four chinchillas. CM and DPOAEs tended to be unchanged or enhanced. CAP and SP showed little change until Day 3, when amplitudes were reduced in all animals and CAP thresholds were elevated by 9 dB; amplitudes declined further between Days 3 and 5 but not thereafter. IC-EVP amplitudes decreased on Days 3 or 5 but thresholds were relatively unchanged. All animals showed some recovery of IC-EVP between Days 7 and 14, including one with 70% enhancement on Day 14. The results indicate that threshold and amplitude measures fail to detect peripheral pathology until some relatively high threshold level of damage has been exceeded. This has important implications for monitoring peripheral damage and interpreting electrophysiological test results in animals and humans.

Amino acid concentrations in chinchilla cochlear nucleus at different times after carboplatin treatment

Amino acid concentrations were measured in the cochlear nucleus for a group of 20 chinchillas: four each of control and 4, 8, 29, and 85 days after treatment with the ototoxic anti-tumor drug carboplatin (100 mg/kg, i.p.). The treated chinchillas showed various extents of inner hair cell loss, generally more complete at longer survival times, but little loss of outer hair cells. Aspartate concentration in rostral anteroventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN) showed a decline to 28% less than the control value at 29 and 85 days after treatment, whereas glutamate concentration showed little change through 29 days, then dropped by 22% at 85 days after treatment. In caudal posteroventral cochlear nucleus (PVCN), the aspartate concentration decreased by 32% at 29 days, in animals with significant inner hair cell loss, and 48% at 85 days after treatment, while the glutamate concentration showed no decrease through 29 days and 40% decrease at 85 days. The concentration of gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) was about 18% lower than control in caudal PVCN at all survival times. Significant correlations were found between the proportion of inner hair cells remaining and glutamate and aspartate concentrations in PVCN and AVCN, but not GABA or other amino acids.

Intratympanic treatment of hearing loss with novel and traditional agents

As knowledge of the cellular and molecular pathophysiology behind otopathologies expands, the possibility exists of preventing sensorineural hearing loss and perhaps reversing the loss. Cellular and molecular mechanisms seem to be similar in hearing loss secondary to aging, drug ototoxicity, noise, or other mechanisms. A final common pathway may hinge upon apoptosis. It is likely that anti-apoptotic factors will increasingly be realized as an important intervention strategy for sensorineural hearing loss. Furthermore, it is also possible that mounting a staged attack at the various regions in the pathway leading to cellular damage using a combination of several protective substances such as steroids, antioxidants, neurotrophic factors, anti-apoptotic compounds, and mitochondrial enhancers may prevent hearing loss and even reverse it in some situations. This article has presented some of the molecular and cellular mechanisms for hearing loss and potential ways of treating them. In theory, the delivery of these medications to the inner ear transtympanically would decrease systemic side effects and be more target specific. Because most of the studies conducted to date have been animal studies, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials would be necessary before the use of these therapies becomes common practice.

Mechanisms of apoptosis induced by cisplatin in marginal cells in mouse stria vascularis

Degeneration of the stria vascularis (SV) is amongst the major causes of cisplatin (CDDP)-induced hearing impairment. The pathways of apoptosis occurring in the SV due to CDDP were examined using a mouse experimental model. Temporal bones of adult C57BL/6 mice were collected on days 3, 7 and 14 after the local application of CDDP. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay and immunostaining for apoptosis-related proteins or reactive radical species were employed for analysis. Local application of CDDP caused apoptotic cell death of marginal cells 3 days after CDDP treatment. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated activation of caspase-3 and -9, but not -8, and redistribution of cytochrome c in affected marginal cells, indicating a caspase-dependent, mitochondrion-mediated apoptotic pathway in marginal cells. Temporary expression of hydroxynonenal, nitrotyrosine and inducible nitric oxide synthase in the SV was observed at the induction of apoptosis in marginal cells. CDDP toxicity generates reactive radical species in the SV, which causes mitochondrial membrane permeabilization leading to apoptosis of marginal cells.

Carboplatin-induced oxidative injury in rat inferior colliculus

Carboplatin is currently being used as an anticancer drug against human cancers. However, high dose of carboplatin chemotherapy resulted in ototoxicity in cancer patients. Carboplatin-induced ototoxicity was related to oxidative stress to the cochlea and inner hair cell loss in animals. It is likely that initial oxidative injury spreads throughout the neuroaxis of the auditory system later. The study aim was to evaluate carboplatin-induced hearing loss and oxidative injury to the central auditory system (inferior colliculus) of the rat. Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups of seven animals each and treated as follows: (1) control (normal saline, intraperitoneal [i.p.]) and (2) carboplatin (256 mg/kg, i.p.). Auditory brain-evoked responses (ABRs) were recorded before and 4 days after treatments. The animals were sacrificed on the 4th day and inferior colliculus from brain stem and cerebellum were isolated and analyzed. Carboplatin significantly elevated the hearing threshold shifts at clicks, 2-, 4-, 8-, 16-, and 32-kHz tone burst stimuli. Carboplatin significantly increased nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation, xanthine oxidase, and manganese superoxide dismutase activities in the inferior colliculus, but not in the cerebellum, indicating an enhanced flux of free radicals in the central auditory system. Carboplatin significantly depressed the reduced to oxidized glutathione ratio, antioxidant enzyme activities, such as copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase, and enzyme protein expressions in the inferior colliculus, but not in the cerebellum, 4 days after treatment. The data suggest that carboplatin induced oxidative injury specifically in the inferior colliculus of the rat leading to hearing loss.

Time response of carboplatin-induced hearing loss in rat

Carboplatin is currently being used as an anticancer drug against human cancers. However, high dose of carboplatin chemotherapy resulted in hearing loss in cancer patients. We have shown that carboplatin-induced hearing loss was related to dose-dependent oxidative injury to the cochlea in rat model. However, the time response of ototoxic dose of carboplatin on hearing loss and oxidative injury to cochlea has not been explored. The aim of the study was to evaluate the time response of carboplatin-induced hearing loss and oxidative injury to the cochlea of the rat. Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups of 30 animals each and treated as follows: (1) control (normal saline, i.p.) and (2) carboplatin (256 mg/kg, a single i.p. bolus injection). Auditory brain-evoked responses (ABRs) were recorded before and 1-5 days after treatments. The animals (n = 6) from each group were sacrificed on day 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 and cochleae were isolated and analyzed. Carboplatin significantly elevated the hearing thresholds to clicks and to 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 kHz tone burst stimuli only 3-5 days post-treatment. Carboplatin significantly increased nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) activity in the cochlea 4-5 and 3-5 days post-treatment, respectively, indicating enhanced influx of free radicals and oxidative injury to the cochlea. Carboplatin significantly depressed the reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio, antioxidant enzyme activities such as copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) as well as enzyme protein expressions in the cochlea 3-5 days after treatment. The data suggest that carboplatin-induced hearing loss involves oxidative injury to the cochlea of the rat in a time-dependent manner.

Carboplatin-induced early cochlear lesion in chinchillas

Carboplatin preferentially damages inner hair cells (IHC) and type I spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) in the chinchilla; however, the temporal sequence of events leading to the destruction of these structures is poorly understood. To better understand the mechanisms leading up to the destruction of IHCs and type I SGNs, we measured the activity in single auditory nerve fibers for the first 8 h following carboplatin treatment and also monitored the development of histopathologies in SGNs and IHCs using a dose of carboplatin that killed approximately 50% of the IHCs. The spontaneous discharge rate (SDR) showed a slight increase around 3 h post carboplatin followed by a significant decline at 4-5 h. The saturation driven discharge rate (DDR) showed a significant increase 1-5 h post carboplatin. These physiological changes were associated with the formation of small vacuoles in type I afferent terminals and proximal nerve fibers 1-6 h post carboplatin; signs of IHC damage were first observed around 24-48 h. Thus, the neurotoxic effects of carboplatin occur approximately a day before the IHCs are damaged. The large fluctuations in SDR and DDR that occur several hours after carboplatin treatment are most likely due to the neurotoxic effects of carboplatin.

A novel model for rapid induction of apoptosis in spiral ganglions of mice

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

The survival of the spiral ganglion (SG) is a critical issue in preservation of hearing. Research on topics related to this issue requires a mouse experimental model because such a model has advantages including use of genetic information and knockout or "knockin" mice. Thus, the aim of the study was to establish a mouse model for induction of apoptosis of SG neurons with a definite time course.

STUDY DESIGN

Laboratory study using experimental animals.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were used as experimental animals and were subjected to direct application of cisplatin into the inner ear. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay and immunostaining for Neurofilament 200-kD (NF) and peripherin were used for analysis of SG degeneration. In addition, generation of peroxynitrite in affected spiral ganglions was examined by immunostaining for nitrotyrosine. Cellular location of activated caspase-9 and cytochrome-c in dying SG neurons were examined for analysis of cell death pathway.

RESULTS

The TUNEL assay and immunohistochemical analysis for NF and peripherin indicated that type I neurons in spiral ganglions were deleted through the apoptotic pathway over time. Spiral ganglion neurons treated with cisplatin exhibited expression of nitrotyrosine, indicating induction of peroxynitrite by cisplatin. In dying SG neurons, expression of activated caspase-9 and translocation of cytochrome-c from mitochondria to cytoplasm were observed, indicating the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

The predictable fashion of induction of apoptosis in SG neurons over a well-defined time course in the model in the study will aid studies of the molecular mechanism of cell death and elucidation of a strategy for prevention of SG degeneration.

Effects of carboplatin on amino acid chemistry in chinchilla cochlear nucleus

Carboplatin, a drug widely used against solid head and neck tumors, selectively destroys cochlear inner hair cells and type I auditory nerve fibers in chinchilla. This should affect neurotransmitter chemistry, involving amino acids, where the type I auditory nerve fibers terminate in the cochlear nucleus. Using microdissection combined with high-performance liquid chromatography, amino acid concentrations were mapped in the cochlear nuclei of chinchillas injected intraperitoneally 6-8 weeks earlier with 100 mg/kg carboplatin and in those of control animals. Glutamate concentrations were 23% lower in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN) and 40% lower in the posteroventral cochlear nucleus (PVCN) of carboplatin-injected chinchillas as compared to controls, while aspartate concentrations were 18% lower in AVCN and 27% lower in PVCN. Using a fluorometric assay, activities of glutaminase, an enzyme which catalyzes glutamate synthesis, were 30% lower in AVCN and 38% lower in PVCN of carboplatin-injected chinchillas. Concentrations of glutamine, gamma-aminobutyrate, and glycine were also lower in some ventral and dorsal cochlear nucleus regions of treated animals. These changes probably result mainly from both primary and later effects of reduced type I auditory nerve fiber input to the cochlear nucleus.