Transtympanic Delivery of Local Anesthetics for Pain in Acute Otitis Media

Harnessing astaxanthin-loaded diselenium cross-linked apotransferrin nanoparticles for the treatment of secretory otitis media

Secretory otitis media (SOM) is a clinical condition characterized by the accumulation of fluids and oxidative stress in the middle ear, leading to hearing impairment and infection complications. One potential solution for mitigating oxidative stress associated with SOM is the use of antioxidants such as astaxanthin. However, its effectiveness is limited due to its poor bioavailability and rapid oxidation. Herein, we developed a novel diselenium-crosslinked apotransferrin enriched with astaxanthin (AST@dSe-AFT) nanoparticles to augment the transport of astaxanthin across biological membranes, resulting in increased bioavailability and reduced oxidative stress in SOM. Our research demonstrated that AST@dSe-AFT efficiently accumulated in the middle ear, allowing for controlled delivery of astaxanthin in response to reactive oxygen species and reducing oxidative stress. Additionally, AST@dSe-AFT stimulated macrophages to polarize towards M2 phenotype and neutrophils to polarize towards N2 phenotype, thereby facilitating an anti-inflammatory response and tissue restoration. Importantly, AST@dSe-AFT exhibited no toxicity or adverse effects, suggesting its potential for safety and future clinical translation. Our findings suggested that AST@dSe-AFT represents a promising approach for the treatment of secretory otitis media and other oxidative stress-related disorders.

Enhancement of polymer thermoresponsiveness and drug delivery across biological barriers by addition of small molecules

Thermoresponsive polymers that undergo sol-gel transitions in the physiological temperature range have been widely used in biomedical applications. However, some commercially and clinically available thermoresponsive materials, particularly poloxamer 407 (P407), have the significant drawback of insufficient gel strength, which limit their performance. Furthermore, co-delivery with some small molecules, including chemical permeation enhancers (CPEs) can further impair the physical properties of P407. Here, we have developed a thermoresponsive platform by combination of CPEs with the poloxamer P188 to enable gelation at physiological temperatures and enhance gel strength. P188 gels at 60 °C, which is far above the physiological range. In combination with limonene (LIM) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), P188 gels at ∼25 °C, a temperature that in useful for biomedical applications. Gelation behavior was studied by small angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments, which identified micelle-to-cubic mesophase transitions with increasing temperature. Analysis of the SANS intensities revealed that P188 micelles became larger as LIM or SDS molecules were incorporated, making it easier to form a micellar gel structure. P188-3CPE (i.e., 2% LIM, 1% SDS and 0.5% bupivacaine (BUP)) had low viscosity at room temperature, facilitating administration, but rapidly gelled at body temperature. P188-3CPE enabled the flux of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin across the TM and completely eradicated otitis media from nontypable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) in chinchillas after a single administration.

Enhancement of Trans-Tympanic Drug Delivery by Pharmacological Induction of Inflammation

Drug delivery directly across the tympanic membrane (TM) could eliminate systemic exposure to antibiotics prescribed for otitis media, the most common reason for pediatricians to prescribe antibiotics. Here, we hypothesized that inducing inflammation of the TM could enhance drug flux across the TM. We demonstrated that the flux of ciprofloxacin across the TM was greatly increased by treatment with the proinflammatory agent histamine. That enhancement was blocked by concurrent treatment with blockers of histamine receptor 1. Treatment of the TM with histamine was able to enhance drug flux sufficiently to eradicate otitis media in vivo in chinchillas, but only if the histamine was applied prior to treatment with antibiotics.

Ex vivo transtympanic permeation of the liposome encapsulated S. pneumoniae endolysin MSlys

An increase in bacterial resistance to systemic antibiotics has sparked interest into alternative antimicrobial compounds as well as methods for effective local, non-invasive drug delivery. Topical treatments, however, may be hindered by the presence of biological barriers, such as the tympanic membrane in the case of otitis media. Herein, the transtympanic permeation ability of liposomes loaded with the pneumococcal endolysin MSlys and of free MSlys was evaluated ex vivo. MSlys loaded in PEGylated liposomes showed an increased permeation across human tympanic membranes, as compared to its free form, being able to reduce the pneumococcal cell load after 2 h of permeation. However, antipneumococcal activity was no longer detected after 4 h of permeation and hydrolysis of the endolysin was observed after an extended incubation time (≥48 h). This work provides a first assessment of a successful, non-invasive delivery method for endolysins across an intact tympanic membrane. Findings have implications for non-systemic, local treatment of otitis media.

Inner Ear Drug Delivery for Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Current Challenges and Opportunities

Most therapies for treating sensorineural hearing loss are challenged by the delivery across multiple tissue barriers to the hard-to-access anatomical location of the inner ear. In this review, we will provide a recent update on various pharmacotherapy, gene therapy, and cell therapy approaches used in clinical and preclinical studies for the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss and approaches taken to overcome the drug delivery barriers in the ear. Small-molecule drugs for pharmacotherapy can be delivered via systemic or local delivery, where the blood-labyrinth barrier hinders the former and tissue barriers including the tympanic membrane, the round window membrane, and/or the oval window hinder the latter. Meanwhile, gene and cell therapies often require targeted delivery to the cochlea, which is currently achieved via intra-cochlear or intra-labyrinthine injection. To improve the stability of the biomacromolecules during treatment, e.g., RNAs, DNAs, proteins, additional packing vehicles are often required. To address the diverse range of biological barriers involved in inner ear drug delivery, each class of therapy and the intended therapeutic cargoes will be discussed in this review, in the context of delivery routes commonly used, delivery vehicles if required (e.g., viral and non-viral nanocarriers), and other strategies to improve drug permeation and sustained release (e.g., hydrogel, nanocarriers, permeation enhancers, and microfluidic systems). Overall, this review aims to capture the important advancements and key steps in the development of inner ear therapies and delivery strategies over the past two decades for the treatment and prophylaxis of sensorineural hearing loss.

Vision-Based Augmented Reality System for Middle Ear Surgery: Evaluation in Operating Room Environment

HYPOTHESIS

Augmented reality (AR) solely based on image features is achievable in operating room conditions and its precision is compatible with otological surgery.

BACKGROUND

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of a vision-based AR system for middle ear surgery in the operating room conditions.

METHODS

Nine adult patients undergoing ossicular procedures were included in this prospective study. AR was obtained by combining real-time video from the operating microscope with the virtual image obtained from the preoperative computed tomography (CT)-scan. Initial registration between the video and the virtual CT image was achieved using manual selection of six points on the tympanic sulcus. Patient-microscope movements during the procedure were tracked using image-feature matching algorithm. The microscope was randomly moved at an approximated speed of 5 mm/s in the three axes of space and rotation for 180 seconds. The accuracy of the system was assessed by calculating the distance between each fiducial point selected on the video image and its corresponding point on the scanner.

RESULTS

AR could be obtained for at least 3 minutes in seven out of nine patients. The overlay fiducial and target registration errors were 0.38 ± 0.23 mm (n = 7) and 0.36 ± 0.15 mm (n = 5) respectively, with a drift error of 1.2 ± 0.5 μm/s. The system was stable throughout the procedure and achieved a refresh rate of 12 fps. Moderate bleeding and introduction of surgical instruments did not compromise the performance of the system.

CONCLUSION

The AR system yielded sub-millimetric accuracy and remained stable throughout the experimental study despite patient-microscope movements and field of view obtrusions.

Drug Delivery across Barriers to the Middle and Inner Ear

The prevalence of ear disorders has spurred efforts to develop drug delivery systems to treat these conditions. Here, recent advances in drug delivery systems that access the ear through the tympanic membrane (TM) are reviewed. Such methods are either non-invasive (placed on the surface of the TM), or invasive (placed in the middle ear, ideally on the round window [RW]). The major hurdles to otic drug delivery are identified and highlighted the representative examples of drug delivery systems used for drug delivery across the TM to the middle and (crossing the RW also) inner ear.

Sustained Release of a Streptococcus pneumoniae Endolysin from Liposomes for Potential Otitis Media Treatment

Local delivery of antimicrobials for otitis media treatment would maximize therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. However, drug transport across the tympanic membrane in the absence of a delivery system is challenging. In this study, the MSlys endolysin was encapsulated in deformable liposomes for a targeted treatment of S. pneumoniae, one of the most important causative agents of otitis media. MSlys was successfully encapsulated in liposomes composed of l-alpha-lecithin and sodium cholate (5:1) or l-alpha-lecithin and PEG2000 PE (10:1), with encapsulation efficiencies of about 35%. The PEGylated and sodium cholate liposomes showed, respectively, mean hydrodynamic diameters of 85 and 115 nm and polydispersity indices of 0.32 and 0.42, both being stable after storage at 4 °C for at least one year. Both liposomal formulations showed a sustained release of MSlys over 7 days. Cytotoxicity studies against fibroblast and keratinocyte cell lines revealed the biocompatible nature of both MSlys and MSlys-loaded liposomes. Additionally, the encapsulated MSlys showed prompt antipneumococcal activity against planktonic and biofilm S. pneumoniae, thus holding great potential for transtympanic treatment against S. pneumoniae otitis media.

Pain Relief by Analgesic Eardrops: Paradigm Shift in the Treatment of Acute Otitis Media?

Acute otitis media is a common middle ear infection in children with the predominant symptoms of hearing impairment and pain. If antibiotics are given, they need time to have an effect on the inflammation, so the focus is on pain control. For pain management local anesthetics have the advantage of lesser systemic side effects but are still subject to scrutiny. In this review the literature between 2000 and 2020 was systematically searched for investigating studies and recommendation in guidelines against the background of the mode of action. 11 clinical studies, 2 guidelines and 5 reports resp. reviews could be identified. Contraindications and side effects were not found in these studies. The analgesic ear drops showed in placebo-controlled studies a relatively short duration of action when applied once but rapid onset of action. There is evidence that analgesic ear drops could provide a first-line analgesia in otitis media without systemic adverse effects such as gastrointestinal disturbance and nausea and could support an antibiotic-saving wait-and-see attitude. The review shows a change in attitude towards the recommendation to include local anesthetics ear drops in otitis media but still there is a lack in treatment protocols which go beyond a single administration. The results do not yet show a significant paradigm shift. The reviews revealed indications that a more adapted galenic preparation could give more effectiveness. Pharmaceutical research in this field should be intensified to exploit the analgesic potential of local anesthetic ear drops in acute otitis media.

Permeation of polyethylene glycols across the tympanic membrane

Localized and non-invasive delivery of therapeutics across barriers in the body is challenging. Examples include the flux of drugs across the tympanic membrane (TM) for the treatment of middle ear infections, and across the round window to treat inner ear disease. With the emergence of macromolecular therapies, the question arises as to whether such delivery can be achieved with macromolecules. Here, we have used polyethylene glycols (PEGs) in solutions to investigate macromolecular permeation across the TM in the chinchilla ex vivo. As the molecular weight of PEG increased, flux across the TM decreased, with an exponential relationship between the apparent diffusion coefficient and the molecular weight of the polymers. PEG flux was further decreased if it was released from a poloxamer 407 hydrogel, and lessened with increasing hydrogel concentration. Our results provide a framework for understanding the permeation of macromolecules noninvasively across barriers.

Controlled release of ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone from a single ototopical administration of antibiotic-loaded polymer microspheres and thermoresponsive gel

Acute otitis media (AOM) is the main indication for pediatric antibiotic prescriptions, accounting for 25% of prescriptions. While the use of topical drops can minimize the administered dose of antibiotic and adverse systemic effects compared to oral antibiotics, their use has limitations, partially due to low patient compliance, high dosing frequency, and difficulty of administration. Lack of proper treatment can lead to development of chronic OM, which may require invasive interventions. Previous studies have shown that gel-based drug delivery to the ear is possible with intratympanic injection or chemical permeation enhancers (CPEs). However, many patients are reluctant to accept invasive treatments and CPEs have demonstrated toxicity to the tympanic membrane (TM). We developed a novel method of delivering therapeutics to the TM and middle ear using a topical, thermoresponsive gel depot containing antibiotic-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres. Our in vitro and ex vivo results suggest that the sustained presentation can safely allow therapeutically relevant drug concentrations to penetrate the TM to the middle ear for up to 14 days. Animal results indicate sufficient antibiotic released for treatment from topical administration 24h after bacterial inoculation. However, animals treated 72h after inoculation, a more clinically relevant treatment practice, displayed spontaneous clearance of infection as is also often observed in the clinic. Despite this variability in the disease model, data suggest the system can safely treat bacterial infection, with future studies necessary to optimize microsphere formulations for scaled up dosage of antibiotic as well as further investigation of the influence of spontaneous bacterial clearance and of biofilm formation on effectiveness of treatment. To our knowledge, this study represents the first truly topical drug delivery system to the middle ear without the use of CPEs.

Local anesthesia enhanced with increasing high-frequency ultrasound intensity

The effect of local anesthetics, particularly those which are hydrophilic, such as tetrodotoxin, is impeded by tissue barriers that restrict access to individual nerve cells. Methods of enhancing penetration of tetrodotoxin into nerve include co-administration with chemical permeation enhancers, nanoencapsulation, and insonation with very low acoustic intensity ultrasound and microbubbles. In this study, we examined the effect of acoustic intensity on nerve block by tetrodotoxin and compared it to the effect on nerve block by bupivacaine, a more hydrophobic local anesthetic. Anesthetics were applied in peripheral nerve blockade in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Insonation with 1-MHz ultrasound at acoustic intensity greater than 0.5 W/cm² improved nerve block effectiveness, increased nerve block reliability, and prolonged both sensory and motor nerve blockade mediated by the hydrophilic ultra-potent local anesthetic, tetrodotoxin. These effects were not enhanced by microbubbles. There was minimal or no tissue injury from ultrasound treatment. Insonation did not enhance nerve block from bupivacaine. Using an in vivo model system of local anesthetic delivery, we studied the effect of acoustic intensity on insonation-mediated drug delivery of local anesthetics to the peripheral nerve. We found that insonation alone (at intensities greater than 0.5 W/cm²) enhanced nerve blockade mediated by the hydrophilic ultra-potent local anesthetic, tetrodotoxin. Graphical abstract.

Panel 1: Biotechnology, biomedical engineering and new models of otitis media

OBJECTIVE

To summarize recently published key articles on the topics of biomedical engineering, biotechnology and new models in relation to otitis media (OM).

DATA SOURCES

Electronic databases: PubMed, Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library and Clinical Evidence (BMJ Publishing).

REVIEW METHODS

Articles on biomedical engineering, biotechnology, material science, mechanical and animal models in OM published between May 2015 and May 2019 were identified and subjected to review. A total of 132 articles were ultimately included.

RESULTS

New imaging technologies for the tympanic membrane (TM) and the middle ear cavity are being developed to assess TM thickness, identify biofilms and differentiate types of middle ear effusions. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been applied to train software programs to diagnose OM with a high degree of certainty. Genetically modified mice models for OM have further investigated what predisposes some individuals to OM and consequent hearing loss. New vaccine candidates protecting against major otopathogens are being explored and developed, especially combined vaccines, targeting more than one pathogen. Transcutaneous vaccination against non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae has been successfully tried in a chinchilla model. In terms of treatment, novel technologies for trans-tympanic drug delivery are entering the clinical domain. Various growth factors and grafting materials aimed at improving healing of TM perforations show promising results in animal models.

CONCLUSION

New technologies and AI applications to improve the diagnosis of OM have shown promise in pre-clinical models and are gradually entering the clinical domain. So are novel vaccines and drug delivery approaches that may allow local treatment of OM.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

New diagnostic methods, potential vaccine candidates and the novel trans-tympanic drug delivery show promising results, but are not yet adapted to clinical use.