Protective and Therapeutic Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Experimental Cisplatin Ototoxicity

Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent with an ototoxic effect that is frequently used in head and neck cancers. There are studies in the literature conducted with various antioxidant substances to protect and/or prevent ototoxicity. This study aims to investigate whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has a protective and therapeutic effect on cisplatin ototoxicity.

A total of 40 Sprague Dawley albino rats were divided into six groups as control group (n=6), PRP-only group (n=6), cisplatin group (n=6), cisplatin + PRP group (n=6), PRP + cisplatin group (n=6), and donor group (n=10). At the beginning of the study and the 8^th day, they were tested with distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE). Assessment of DPOAE results was based on the signal-to-noise ratio in 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz frequency bands. On the 8^th day, the rats were sacrificed. For histological examinations, the temporal bones were dissected and fixed. After hematoxylin and eosin staining, the tissues were evaluated by light microscopy.

In the DPOAE tests performed on the 0^th and 8^th days of the cisplatin group, it was observed that cisplatin caused hearing loss in the rat ears. It was determined that the cisplatin group at 2000 Hz, 3000 Hz and 4000 Hz had a significant decrease in hearing compared to all groups (p<0.015), while the cisplatin group at 6000 and 8000 Hz was characterized by hearing loss at a higher rate than all groups (p<0.001). At the end of the study, negative effects of cisplatin on both cellular dimensions (cytoplasmic vacuolization, cell degeneration, dilatation, apoptotic cells, nerve degeneration) and hearing function were observed. No protective or therapeutic effect of PRP on cisplatin ototoxicity was observed.

Our study showed that platelet-rich plasma did not have a significant effect in the treatment of hearing loss due to cisplatin ototoxicity and in preventing hearing loss in rats.