ORL; journal for oto-rhino-laryngology and its related specialties·2013
Glycerol and urea improve hearing in Menière
Area of Science:
Otolaryngology
Nephrology
Pharmacology
Background:
Menière's disease is characterized by fluctuating hearing loss.
Impaired cochlear blood supply is a suspected mechanism.
Hyperosmotic agents are used to manage Menière's disease symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
To investigate the effect of hyperosmotic solutions on cochlear blood flow.
To determine if changes in cochlear blood flow explain hearing improvements in Menière's disease.
Main Methods:
Albino rabbits were used to model cochlear blood flow.
The microsphere method was employed to measure cochlear blood flow.
Hyperosmotic solutions of glycerol, urea, and mannitol were administered.
Main Results:
All tested hyperosmotic solutions (glycerol, urea, mannitol) increased cochlear blood flow by approximately 30%.
No significant differences in cochlear blood flow changes were observed between the different solutions.
The observed increase in cochlear blood supply was modest.
Conclusions:
The modest and similar increase in cochlear blood flow induced by glycerol, urea, and mannitol does not appear to be the primary factor for hearing improvement in Menière's disease.
Alternative mechanisms likely explain the therapeutic effects of glycerol and urea in Menière's disease.