The effect of lycopene on the ototoxicity induced by cisplatin

Background/aim: To determine the efficacy of lycopene, which is considered an antioxidant agent, in decreasing the cochlear damage induced by cisplatin.

A total of 38 rats were randomized into 4 groups: control, cisplatin, cisplatin + lycopene, and lycopene-treated groups. In all groups, the distortion-product otoacoustic emission measurements were performed on days 0, 1, 2, and 5.

There were no significant differences between the control and lycopene groups at any frequencies. In the cisplatin group, the statistically significant differences were found in the measurements taken between day 0 and day 5 at all frequencies and between days 1 and 5 and days 2 and 5 at some frequencies (P < 0.05). In the cisplatin + lycopene group, a statistically significant difference was found at some frequencies between the measurements taken on days 0 and 5, days 1 and 5, and days 2 and 5 (P < 0.05). Contrary to the results found in the cisplatin group, hearing ability in the lycopene-treated group was observed as being preserved at low frequencies in the measurements taken on days 0 and 5 and days 2 and 5.

The data of this study suggest that lycopene can prevent the development of ototoxicity induced by cisplatin, especially at low frequencies. Studies on this issue with longer durations and different dose ranges may contribute to the identification of potentially prophylactic effects of lycopene against cisplatin ototoxicity at higher frequencies, as well.