Diet is a risk factor in cisplatin ototoxicity

Area of Science:

• Ototoxicology
• Nutritional Neuroscience
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapy agent with known ototoxic side effects.
• The influence of nutritional status on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity is not fully understood.
• Cochlear glutathione and serum albumin are potential biomarkers for cellular protection and systemic health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of dietary protein intake in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.
• To determine the correlation between cochlear glutathione, serum albumin levels, and hearing loss severity.
• To explore the impact of diet on cisplatin pharmacokinetics and nephrotoxicity.

Main Methods:

• Guinea pigs were fed either a regular or low-protein diet for 12 days.
• Cisplatin was administered subcutaneously (1 mg/kg body weight).
• Hearing loss was assessed using auditory brainstem response, and cochlear glutathione, serum albumin, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and serum platinum levels were measured.

Main Results:

• A low-protein diet significantly increased cisplatin-induced hearing loss compared to a regular diet.
• Low-protein diets reduced cochlear glutathione and serum albumin levels.
• Nephrotoxicity markers and serum platinum levels did not correlate with ototoxicity severity, suggesting diet, not pharmacokinetics, is key.

Conclusions:

• Dietary protein intake is a critical factor modulating cisplatin ototoxicity.
• Reduced cochlear glutathione and serum albumin associated with low-protein diets may contribute to increased hearing damage.
• Metabolic status, influenced by diet, represents a significant risk factor for cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.