The protective effect of intratympanic dexamethasone on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in guinea pigs

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of intratympanic dexamethasone injection as a protection agent against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Study Design and Setting The four groups of guinea pigs were injected as follows: 1) cisplatin, 2) intratympanic dexamethasone, 3) cisplatin following intratympanic dexamethasone, and 4) cisplatin after intratympanic saline. Before and 3 days following injections, the ototoxic effect was measured with distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). Results The DPOAEs amplitudes and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values at 1 to 6 kHz frequencies for group 1 animals after injections significantly decreased over those before injections ( P < 0.05). In group 2, there were no significant differences in DPOAE amplitude and SNR values between before and after intratympanic dexamethasone injections ( P > 0.05). Considering group 3, there were also no significant differences in DPOAEs amplitudes and SNR values before and after of dexamethasone and cisplatin injections ( P > 0.05). Conclusions Intratympanic dexamethasone injection did not cause any ototoxic effect; in contrast, it might have a significant protective effect after cisplatin injection.