Evaluation of the efficacy of the carbon monoxide releasing molecule-3 (CORM-3)in vestibular and cochlear toxicity model

INTRODUCTION: Ototoxicity is an important cause of acquired hearing loss that causes permanent hearing loss. Ototoxicity-induced hearing loss is one of the most common preventable causes of hearing loss. Although different agents are used to reduce hearing loss due to ototoxic exposure; a common treatment protocol with a proven success has not yet been defined. The aim of this experimental study is to demonstrate the effectiveness and healing effects of Carbon Monoxide Releasing Molecule-3 (CORM-3) on the hearing and balance system after exposure to ototoxicity by using electrophysiological measurements and behavioral methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one albino wistar male rats were equally divided into 3 groups. The group not given gentamicin; Intraperitoneal saline was applied for 5 days. Intratympanic gentamicin was applied to the left ear for 5 days to 14 rats in the other 2 groups. After drug administration, 10 mg/kg/day CORM-3 was administered intraperitoneally to the gentamicin+corm-3 group 1 hour later. Considering the half-life of the drug, CORM-3 was injected daily with 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally until the end of the 5th day of drug administration. Distortion product otoacoustic emission, auditory evoked brainstem potentials at 4, 6 and 8 kHz, and vestibular functions were measured by behavioral tests. RESULTS: Auditory evoked brainstem potential test results showed improved hearing thresholds in the CORM-3 group at all frequencies compared to the other group given gentamicin. These findings were also statistically significant (p<0.05). Vestibular functions were not statistically significant in the corm-3 group compared to the other group which is given gentamicin, but relatively better scores were found in vestibular damage scores. CONCLUSION: According to the data obtained, CORM-3 may be a useful molecule that can be used as a preventive and therapeutic agent in hearing loss due to ototoxicity. However, additional researchs should be conducted to prove this protective effect of CORM-3. Keywords: Ototoxicity, antioxidant, Carbon Monoxide Releasing Molecule-3, ototoxicity-induced hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss.