Protective effects of glucocorticoids on ischemia-reperfusion injury of outer hair cells.

OBJECTIVE

This animal study aimed to investigate effects of glucocorticoids on the functional recovery of outer hair cells (OHCs) after transient ischemia.

METHODS

Distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) was examined before, during, and after transient cochlear ischemia of 30 minutes using albino guinea pigs.

RESULTS

DPOAE decreased to noise level during ischemia. On recirculation, DPOAE initially recovered with time until 20 minutes after the onset of reperfusion, but thereafter, the DPOAE level gradually decreased toward the noise level in the control animals. Prednisolone and methylprednisolone significantly improved the DPOAE level 60 minutes after the onset of reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings suggest that glucocorticoids possess protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion injury of OHCs.