Protective effects of lycopene treatment in rat model of hearing loss induced acoustic trauma

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effects of lycopene treatment on hearing threshold in rat model of hearing loss induced acoustic trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS 14 wistar albino rats with normal auto microscopic ear examination, DÜOAE and IUBP were divided into two as control and experiment group. All rats were exposed to 4 kHz 120 dB SPL noise for acoustic trauma and strength of trauma recorded with DÜOAE and İUBP that is performed at 24. hour. Experiment group were given 25 mg/kg lycopene control group were given 0.4 cc serum physiologic solution (equal volume of control group) with nasogastric tube for 14 days. Hearing function of rats were recorded with DÜOAE and IUBP at 10. and 14. day after acoustic trauma. RESULTS 10. and 14. day 4, 8, 16, 32 kHz airway IUBP thresholds results of experiment group were lower compared to control group and was statistically significant (p<0,05). There is not statistical significance between kontrol and experiment gruop 10. and 14. day DÜOAE amplitude results (p>0,05). CONCLUSION In our experiment we found that lycopene reduces hearing lose thresholds caused by acoustic trauma. KEY WORDS: Acoustic trauma, Hearing loss, Lycopene