Type I allergy in the inner ear of the guinea pig

Degranulation of Murine Resident Cochlear Mast Cells: A Possible Factor Contributing to Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity and Neurotoxicity

Permanent hearing loss is one of cisplatin's adverse effects, affecting 30-60% of cancer patients treated with that drug. Our research group recently identified resident mast cells in rodents' cochleae and observed that the number of mast cells changed upon adding cisplatin to cochlear explants. Here, we followed that observation and found that the murine cochlear mast cells degranulate in response to cisplatin and that the mast cell stabilizer cromoglicic acid (cromolyn) inhibits this process. Additionally, cromolyn significantly prevented cisplatin-induced loss of auditory hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons. Our study provides the first evidence for the possible mast cell participation in cisplatin-induced damage to the inner ear.

A possible mechanism of the formation of endolymphatic hydrops and its associated inner ear disorders

The pathology of Meniere's disease (MD) is well established to be endolymphatic hydrops. However, the mechanism underlying deafness and vertigo of MD or idiopathic endolymphatic hydrops is still unknown. In order to evaluate the pathogenesis of deafness and vertigo in MD, it seems to be rational to investigate the interrelationship between hydrops and inner ear disorders using animals with experimentally-induced endolymphatic hydrops. In spite of intense efforts by many researchers, the mechanism of vertiginous attack has been unexplained, because animals with experimental hydrops usually did not show vertiginous attack. Recently, there are two reports to succeed to evoke vertiginous attack in animals with experimental hydrops. In the present paper were first surveyed past proposals about underlying mechanism of the development of hydrops and inner ear disorders associated with hydrops, and were discussed the pathogenetic mechanism of vertiginous attack in hydrops. In conclusion, abrupt development of hydrops was thought to play a pivotal role in the onset of vertiginous seizure.

The Role of Allergy in Otologic Disease

Allergy is commonly associated with conditions such as rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma, but the relationship between allergy and otologic diseases is less clear. This article examines the evidence for a relationship between allergic disease and several common otologic conditions, including otitis media with effusion, eosinophilic otitis media, and Ménière's disease.

Serotonin-Induced Plasma Extravasation in the Murine Inner Ear: Possible Mechanism of Migraine-Associated Inner ear Dysfunction

Sensitivity to sound and vertigo are often components of migraine. Recent studies suggest that plasma extravasation from intradural blood vessels may contribute to migraine pain. This study documented plasma extravasation in the mouse inner ear after intravenous administration of serotonin (5-HT). Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected intravenously to trace protein extravasation in mice, followed 15 min later by intravenous 5-HT or saline. Forty-five minutes later, mice were euthanized. HRP extravasation was visualized immunohistochemically and quantified densitometrically. Baseline and evoked extravasation in stria vascularis and tectorial membrane were indistinguishable from skin, dura mater and tympanic membrane. Brain parenchyma, Scarpa's ganglion, basal spiral ganglion and modiolus, and the central vestibular nerve segment showed no significant 5-HT-induced extravasation. In contrast, 5-HT produced extravasation in the apical spiral ganglion, modiolus, and intralabyrinthine superior and inferior vestibular nerve. Thus, inner ear plasma extravasation is a potential mechanism for migraine-associated vertigo and sound sensitivity.

Localization of histamine (H1, H2, H3 and H4) receptors in mouse inner ear

Conclusion The present findings show that all four types of histamine receptors (H1R, H2R, H3R, and H4R) are present in the inner ear, thus supporting the hypothesis that histamine plays a physiological role in the inner ear. Objective To analyse the presence of histamine receptors in the normal mouse inner ear. Methods CBA/J mice were used in this study. The localization of H1R, H2R, H3R, and H4R in the inner ear, i.e. cochlea, vestibular end organs, vestibular ganglion, and endolymphatic sac, was studied by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Results The mRNA for each receptor sub-type was detected in the inner ear. In the immunohistochemical study, the organ of Corti, spiral ganglion, vestibular ganglion, vestibular sensory epithelium, and endolymphatic sac cells showed an immunofluorescent reaction to all histamine receptors.

Audiological manifestations of allergic rhinitis

Background:

Allergic rhinitis is associated with excess specific immunoglobulin E. Inner ear involvement (via both cellular and humoral immunity) is poorly understood, but appears to arise from the endolymphatic sac and duct.

Aims:

To assess the otological and audiological status of patients with allergic rhinitis.

Methodology:

Thirty allergic rhinitis patients (14 men, 16 women; age 17–45 years, mean 31 years) and 20 controls (12 men, eight women; age 21–42 years, mean 27 years) underwent audiological investigation.

Results:

All study group patients had sensorineural (rather than conductive) hearing loss, worse at high frequencies. All had abnormal transient evoked otoacoustic emissions and 27 had abnormal distortion product otoacoustic emissions. All had a statistically significantly prolonged wave I latency, and shortened absolute wave I–III and I–V interpeak latencies, compared with controls.

Conclusion:

Allergic rhinitis patients had a higher prevalence of hearing loss and otoacoustic emission abnormalities than controls. The endolymphatic sac can process antigens and produce its own local antibody response; the resulting inflammatory mediators and toxic products may interfere with hair cell function. Additional research is needed to determine the clinical value of audiometry and otoacoustic emission testing in allergic rhinitis.

Allergic and immunologic features of Ménière's disease

Ménière's disease (MD), which by definition is idiopathic, has been ascribed to various causes, including both inhalant and food allergies. Patients with MD report higher rates of allergy history and positive skin or in vitro tests compared with a control group of patients with other otologic diseases and to the general public. Recent immunologic studies have shown higher rates of circulating immune complexes, CD4, and other immunologic components in patients with MD compared with healthy controls. Published treatment results have shown benefit from immunotherapy and/or dietary restriction for symptoms of MD in those patients who present with both allergy and MD.

Allergy and Ménière's disease

Ménière's disease (MD), which by definition is idiopathic, has been ascribed to various causes, including both inhalant and food allergies. Patients with MD report higher rates of allergy history and positive skin or in vitro tests compared to a control group of patients with other otologic diseases and to the general public. Recent immunologic studies have shown higher rates of circulating immune complexes, CD4, and other immunologic components in patients with MD compared to normal controls. Published treatment results have shown benefit from immunotherapy and/or dietary restriction for symptoms of MD in patients with both allergy and MD.

Expression of histamine receptors (H(1), H(2), and H(3)) in the rabbit endolymphatic sac: an immunohistochemical study

OBJECTIVE

The endolymphatic sac (ES) is part of the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear. Its central role in immunologic activity within the inner ear has been confirmed by numerous studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of histamine receptors (H(1), H(2), H(3)) in the rabbit ES.

METHODS

A total of 10 healthy male New Zealand white rabbits weighing 2 to 3 kg were used in the experiments. For immunohistochemical studies, immunostaining was performed according to the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique.

RESULTS

Serial sections of the ES of rabbits revealed the presence of H(1), H(2), and H(3) receptor immunoreactivity. Immunoreactive cells for all H(1), H(2), and H(3) were found in the epithelial and subepithelial layers of the duct and the proximal ES. In conclusion, this study showed the immunohistochemical localization of H(1), H(2), and H(3) receptors in the ES of rabbits. These receptors may be important in the homeostasis of the inner ear. In addition, they may be target receptors in the medical treatment of inner ear disorders such as endolymphatic hydrops.

Prevalence of allergy in Meniere's disease

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of allergy in a population of patients with Meniere's disease.

METHODS

A survey was mailed to all patients with Meniere's disease seen at our institution from 1994 to July 1998 (n = 1490). As a control group, 172 patients with otologic problems other than Meniere's disease completed the same survey.

RESULTS

Of 734 respondents with Meniere's disease, 59.2% reported possible airborne allergy, 40.3% had or suspected food allergies, and 37% had had confirmatory skin or in vitro tests for allergy. These prevalence rates were significantly higher than those found in the control group, of which 42.7% reported having or suspecting airborne allergies and 25% had or suspected food allergies (differences all significant at P< or =0.005).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of allergy appears to be much higher in patients with Meniere's disease than in the general population or the population of patients visiting an otologic clinic for other symptoms.

Allergic management of Meniere's disease: an outcome study

The effect of allergy immunotherapy and elimination of suspected food allergens was evaluated in patients with Meniere's disease. A total of 137 patients with Meniere's disease for whom allergy treatment had been recommended were identified and were mailed and returned a symptoms questionnaire. One hundred thirteen had received allergy treatment; 24 did not have treatment and served as a control group. Information regarding history, signs and symptoms, allergy test results, and audiologic data were obtained by chart review. The 113 patients treated with desensitization and diet showed a significant improvement from pretreatment to posttreatment in both allergy and Meniere's symptoms. Ratings of frequency, severity, and interference with everyday activities of their Meniere's symptoms also appeared better after allergy treatment than ratings from the control group of untreated patients. Vertigo control results, by use of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery classification, categorized 47.9% as class A or B. Hearing was stable or improved in 61.4%. Patients with Meniere's disease can show improvement in their symptoms of tinnitus and vertigo when receiving specific allergy therapy. The inner ear may be the target, directly or indirectly, of an allergic reaction.