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Increased antisecretory factor reduces vertigo in patients with Ménière's disease: a pilot study
P Hanner1, E Jennische, S Lange
1Department of Audiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, S-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden. per.hanner@vgregion.se
Abstract:
It has been hypothesized that the symptoms of vertigo in patients with Ménière's disease somehow are related to impaired production and/or transport of endolymph. Antisecretory factor (AF) is a protein known to affect transport processes in the intestine and it has been shown that intake of specially processed cereals (SPC) can increase endogenous AF synthesis. In a prospective open pilot study, 24 patients with severe Ménière's disease (functional level scale 5-6 according to the criteria of AAO-HNS) received SPC for 14-30 days. AF levels in plasma increased by 83% in 20 of the 24 patients studied. The attacks of rotatory vertigo were reduced, to final AAO-HNS functional level scale 1-3, in 12 patients and in three of these hearing was normalized. Twelve patients had no or minor effects of the treatment. The correlation between AF activity after treatment and the final AAO-HNS functional level scale was -0.65, P<0.001. Studies in rats using immunohistochemistry methods showed that AF was localized to the cochlea and the vestibule of the inner ear. The present results suggest that AF might be a new regulator of the endolymph.
Insights
Specially processed cereals (SPC) increased Antisecretory Factor (AF) levels in Ménière
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Ménière's disease symptoms, including vertigo, are linked to endolymph production/transport issues.
- Antisecretory Factor (AF) influences transport processes; specially processed cereals (SPC) boost endogenous AF.
- Previous research suggests a connection between AF and fluid transport mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of SPC on AF levels in patients with severe Ménière's disease.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of AF modulation for Ménière's disease symptoms.
- To explore the role of AF as a potential regulator of endolymph.
Main Methods:
- A prospective open pilot study involving 24 patients with severe Ménière's disease (AAO-HNS functional level 5-6).
- Patients received SPC for 14-30 days.
- Measurements included plasma AF levels, vertigo attack frequency, and hearing assessment; immunohistochemistry in rats localized AF in the inner ear.
Main Results:
- Plasma AF levels increased by 83% in 20 out of 24 patients.
- Vertigo attacks reduced significantly (to AAO-HNS functional level 1-3) in 12 patients; hearing normalized in three.
- A strong negative correlation (r=-0.65, P<0.001) was found between post-treatment AF activity and vertigo severity.
Conclusions:
- Increased AF levels following SPC intake correlate with reduced vertigo in Ménière's disease patients.
- AF is localized to the cochlea and vestibule, suggesting a role in inner ear fluid regulation.
- Antisecretory Factor (AF) may represent a novel therapeutic target for managing Ménière's disease.
