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The effect of batroxobin on cochlear blood flow
M Kawakami1, K Makimoto, H Yamamoto
1Department of Otolaryngology, Osaka Medical College, Japan.
Insights
Batroxobin (BX) significantly increased cochlear blood flow in guinea pigs by reducing blood fibrinogen levels. This suggests potential for treating inner ear disorders related to blood flow disturbances.
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
Background:
- Cochlear blood flow is vital for inner ear function.
- Disturbances in cochlear blood flow are implicated in inner ear diseases.
- Pharmaceuticals aim to improve cochlear blood flow by affecting factors like blood viscosity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of Batroxobin (BX) on cochlear blood flow.
- To assess the impact of BX on blood fibrinogen levels in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Guinea pigs were infused with Batroxobin (BX) at different dosages (2 BU/kg and 10 BU/kg).
- Cochlear blood flow was measured using a laser Doppler flowmeter over 3 hours.
- Blood fibrinogen concentration was measured post-infusion.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in cochlear blood flow was observed 3 hours after infusion with 10 BU/kg BX.
- A slight increase in cochlear blood flow was noted with 2 BU/kg BX.
- Blood fibrinogen levels decreased dramatically within 30 minutes after 10 BU/kg BX infusion and remained low for 3 hours.
Conclusions:
- Batroxobin (BX) effectively increases cochlear blood flow in guinea pigs, likely by reducing blood viscosity through defibrinogenation.
- BX demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for inner ear conditions associated with impaired cochlear blood flow.
- Further research is warranted, considering the observed instances of hemorrhage.
Abstract:
Cochlear blood flow is considered to be closely related to cochlear function. Among several etiologic factors implicated in inner ear diseases, disturbance of local blood flow is held to be one of the most important. With this in view, various pharmaceuticals are currently being used to increase local blood flow in patients with inner ear diseases. In the control of blood flow there are three major factors; systemic blood pressure (perfusion pressure), vascular tone, and blood viscosity. Batroxobin (BX) was developed to increase local blood flow by lowering blood viscosity through defibrinogenation; it is used in the treatment of thrombosis and occasionally for the treatment of sudden deafness. In the present study, we observed the effect of BX on cochlear blood flow in guinea pigs, using a laser Doppler flowmeter, and measured the blood fibrinogen concentration after BX infusion. There was an obvious increase in cochlear blood flow during the observation period of 3 h after 10 BU/kg were infused, and a slight increase when 2 BU/kg were infused. Blood fibrinogen levels decreased dramatically by 30 min after BX infusion (10 BU/kg), and the extremely low level attained was maintained throughout the 3-h observation period. Hemorrhage from the surgically opened ear was noted in 2 animals during the experiment and rectal bleeding in one.
