Investigating the protective effect of adrenocorticotropic hormon treatment against the acoustic trauma

Introduction Adrenocorticotropic hormon (ACTH) is polypeptid hormon which is secreted from anterior pituitary gland. The main aim of this hormone is to stimulate the secretation of corticosteroid hormones from the adrenal glands. In this study, we aimed to compare the protective effects of the ACTH and dexamethasone against the acoustic trauma (AT). Material and Methods This study is claimed in the Baskent University Medical Faculty animal lab under the local ethic statement (DA16/47). Hearing thresholds and wave latancies are detected for 3 different frequencies (10 20,32kHz) with auditory brainstem response test (ABR) in 4 groups which constituted with randomized selected 6 rats. 3 groups received AT (105dB white noise, 12hours) and all of the rats are assessed immediately for the threshold shifting. One group (n:6) received dexamethasone (2mg/kg/day im), one group (n:6) received ACTH (0,4mg/kg/day im), one group (n:6) received saline (0,2ml/day im) for seven days. ABR test were revised in 7th and 21th of AT. Results All of the groups (except the control group) were similarly effected from the AT. Steroid and ACTH groups show significantly better hearing outcomes than the saline group on 7th and 21st days after AT. The results between the steroid and ACTH analogs did not differ significantly. None of the related intervention groups reached the basal hearing thresholds. Conclusion It is found in the study, both systemic steroids and ACTH analogs exert a therapeutic effect on AT. ACTH analogs may an alternative treatment for the systemic steroids after the further investments on human.