Therapeutic efficacy of magnesium in acoustic trauma in the guinea pig.

Comparative functional and morphological tests were performed in two groups of impulse noise-exposed guinea pigs treated either with magnesium (Mg) or isotonic saline as a placebo to extend the knowledge on the therapeutic efficacy of Mg in acoustic trauma demonstrated recently. The permanent threshold shifts were significantly lower in the Mg than in the placebo group as measured by auditory brainstem response audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emissions and compound action potentials (CAPs) 1 week after exposure. This also applies to the damage to hair cell stereocilia tested with scanning electron microscopy. There were frequency-related differences in the individual functional responses. The CAP threshold shifts reflected the morphological damage most obviously.