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Updated: Nov 10, 2025
Trans-Tympanic Drug Delivery for the Treatment of Ototoxicity
Published on: March 16, 2018
The protective effect of astaxanthin on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity
Suat Terzi1, Abdulkadir Özgür2, Metin Çeliker1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey.
Background:
Promising studies have been conducted with many substances to reduce the ototoxic effects of cisplatin, but there is no treatment that completely eliminates the ototoxic effect.
Objectives:
To determine the effectiveness of astaxanthin (ASX) as a protective agent against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.
Material And Methods:
Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Group 1 received no drug injections except for anesthetics; group 2 received intraperitoneal (IP) olive oil only for 8 days; group 3 received only IP ASX 75 mg/kg dissolved in olive oil for 8 days; group 4 received a single dose of only IP 16 mg/kg cisplatin on the 5th day; group 5 received 25 mg/kg ASX IP daily for 8 days and a single 16 mg/kg dose of cisplatin on the 5th day; group 6 received 75 mg/kg ASX IP daily for 8 days and a single 16 mg/kg dose of cisplatin on the 5th day. The animals were tested for distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) before and 3 days after cisplatin treatment. The animals in all groups were sacrificed under anesthesia on the 10th day. Before sacrifice, inferior vena cava blood samples were drawn into commercial tubes for biochemical analysis and their cochlea were prepared for histological analysis.
Results:
The ASX+cisplatin groups demonstrated significantly higher DPOAE thresholds when compared to the cisplatin-only group (p < 0.05). The ASX 25 mg/kg/day+cisplatin group showed a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity compared to the cisplatin-only group, whereas the ASX 75 mg/kg/day+cisplatin group had significantly lower total oxidative stress and oxidative stress index. Histologic results showed that the cortical organ was better preserved in the ASX+cisplatin groups compared to the cisplatin-only group, and the degeneration in the spiral ganglion and inner and outer hair cells was less visible in the ASX groups.
Conclusions:
Astaxanthin can protect hearing from cisplatin-induced ototoxicity, prevent cellular degeneration and significantly reduce oxidative stress.
Insights
Astaxanthin (ASX) shows promise in protecting hearing from cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. This study found that ASX reduced cellular degeneration and oxidative stress in rats treated with cisplatin.
Area of Science:
- Ototoxicity research
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Cisplatin chemotherapy can cause hearing loss (ototoxicity).
- Current treatments for cisplatin-induced ototoxicity are insufficient.
- Astaxanthin (ASX) is being investigated for its protective properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate astaxanthin's effectiveness in preventing cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.
- To assess ASX's impact on hearing function and cochlear damage in a rat model.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-six rats were divided into six groups, receiving varying doses of astaxanthin (ASX) and cisplatin.
- Hearing function was assessed using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE).
- Biochemical and histological analyses of cochlear tissues were performed.
Main Results:
- ASX administration significantly improved DPOAE thresholds compared to cisplatin alone.
- ASX treatment increased total antioxidant capacity and reduced oxidative stress markers.
- Histological examination revealed better preservation of cochlear structures and hair cells in ASX-treated groups.
Conclusions:
- Astaxanthin demonstrates significant protective effects against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.
- ASX can prevent cellular degeneration in the cochlea.
- Astaxanthin effectively reduces cisplatin-induced oxidative stress, preserving hearing function.
