Early hearing protection by brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Abstract Conclusion: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protects the inner ear from PaExoA (exotoxin A from Pseudomonas aeruginosa)-induced sensory neural hearing loss when administered 12 h after exotoxin, but not after 72 h. Objective: BDNF is a peptide in the neurotrophin family with protective effects against noise-induced hair cell loss and toxic inner ear damage following exposure to cisplatin. The exotoxin A (PaExoA) from P. aeruginosa, the most common microorganism in chronic suppurative otitis media, induces sensorineural hearing loss in rats. Previous study showed that, when given simultaneously with the exotoxin, BDNF protected the inner ear from damage. The aim of this study was to determine if BDNF has a protective effect when given 12–72 h after PaExoA. Materials and Methods : Five groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The three control groups (n = 16) were as follows. Group 1 (n = 8) received 15 µg/20 µl PaExoA; group 2 (n = 5) received 20 µg/20 µl PaExoA; and group 3 (n = 3) recei...