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Loud sound induced hearing loss is prevented by methylene blue
Author(s) -
Wilson Teresa M,
Omelcheko Irina,
Foster Sarah,
Nuttall Alfred L
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.1144.4
Subject(s) - methylene blue , hearing loss , noise induced hearing loss , nitric oxide , chemistry , audiology , medicine , noise exposure , biochemistry , organic chemistry , photocatalysis , catalysis
Rationale Methylene blue (MB), a powerful synthetic redox compound that readily crosses the blood‐brain barrier, is currently in use as a treatment for methemoglobinemia and is being examined as a treatment for other human ailments including Alzheimer's disease. MB. In low doses, MB acts as an electron cycler in the mitochondrial electron transport chain facilitating oxidative respiration and greatly reducing superoxide production. Additionally, MB has been shown to directly inhibit the activity of both inducible and constitutive forms of nitric oxide synthetase (NOS). Objective To determine whether MB can protect against noise induced hearing loss. Methods and Results Male CBA/CaJ (8 weeks old) mice (n=5/group) were injected with MB (0.5 mg/kg IP) or water at 24 and 1 hr prior to exposure to the moderately damaging noise level of 110 dB SPL, 4–45 kHz for 3 hrs. At 1 and 2 weeks, Auditory Brain Stem Response and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission were measured. The effect of MB on NOS and NADPH oxidase activities was also measured. The results revealed that prior treatment with MB provided significant protection against noise induced hearing loss across all measured frequencies and greatly reduced reactive free radical production. Conclusion Here, we show that low dose MB can prevent hearing loss due to loud sound exposure. Supported by grants 5R01DC000105 (ALN) and P30DC005983.