Int. Adv. Otol. 2011; 7:(2) 178-184

The Effect of L-Carnitine on the Prevention of Experimentally Induced Cisplatin Ototoxicity in Rats
Yusuf Vayisoglu, Murat Unal, Onur Ismi, Ebru Balli
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey

Objective: To investigate the preventative effect of L-Carnitine (LC) on cisplatin induced ototoxicity in rats by evaluating distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) levels and electron microscopic sections of cochlea.

Materials and Methods: Forty Wistar rats were divided into four groups of ten rats; group 1) cisplatin (12mg/kg single dose, i.p.); group 2) cisplatin (12mg/kg single dose, i.p.) plus LC) (100 mg/kg/day, orally); group 3) cisplatin (12mg/kg single dose, i.p.) plus physiological saline (5 ml, i.p.), and group 4 as control group, physiological saline (5 ml, i.p.). All animals were tested by DPOAEs three days before and after cisplatin administration. Additionally electron microscopic evaluation of cochlea was performed.

Results: At all tested frequencies DPOAEs were significantly decreased in animals receiving cisplatin compared to animals receiving cisplatin plus LC. Otherwise, when cisplatin plus LC group was compared to the control group, statistically significant decrease in DPOAEs at 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 kHz was not observed. Additionally degenerative changes in OHCs and outer phalangeal correct?, please check throughtout the text cells were encountered in the cisplatin group as evidenced by electron microscopy. In the cisplatin plus LC group, normal morphological appearance in OHCs and outer phalangeal cells were observed. Stereocilia at the apical surface of OHCs were minimally shortened compared to the control group.

Conclusions: Our results suggested that LC administration may reduce the severity of cisplatin induced hearing loss.