Caspase-3在豚鼠内淋巴积水耳蜗中的表达

目的观察Caspase-3在豚鼠内淋巴积水耳蜗中的表达。方法实验分正常对照组和实验组,每组10只豚鼠。用破坏并阻塞豚鼠内淋巴囊的方法造成豚鼠内淋巴积水模型。3周后处死豚鼠,取耳蜗分别用石蜡及火棉胶包埋、切片,免疫组织化学方法观察caspase-3在耳蜗的表达。结果caspase-3在豚鼠内淋巴积水耳蜗中表达呈阳性,阳性区域为耳蜗外侧壁和螺旋神经节细胞。结论caspase-3在豚鼠内淋巴积水耳蜗中呈阳性表达,提示在内淋巴积水病理过程中存在耳蜗细胞凋亡。     

顺铂对小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞凋亡及caspase-3表达的影响

目的:建立小鼠顺铂(CDDP)耳毒性模型,研究不同剂量顺铂对小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞凋亡及caspase-3表达的影响。方法:采用末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导的缺口末端标记(TUNEL)技术检测螺旋神经节细胞的凋亡;应用免疫组织化学Envision法检测caspase-3在螺旋神经节中的表达;同时结合听脑干反应(ABR)测试,观察用药前后小鼠听力的变化。结果:不同剂量顺铂组小鼠体重和听力明显下降,与对照组比较均有显著性差异(P0.05,P0.01);并且随着顺铂给药剂量的增加,小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节中TUNEL阳性细胞数增多,以及caspase-3表达明显增强。结论:应用小鼠能建立可靠的顺铂耳毒性模型;顺铂可导致耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞凋亡,而且此凋亡过程中有caspase-3的参与,进一步证实了凋亡可能是顺铂耳毒性机制之一。     

腺病毒介导的NT3基因转染对噪音损伤的耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞的保护作用

神经营养素 3(neurotrophin 3,NT3)作为螺旋神经节细胞特异的营养因子 ,可有效地支持内耳传入神经元的存活 ,因此有望成为治疗因其退变而引起的感音性神经性耳聋的有效因子。实验采用腺病毒介导lacZ基因 ,检测了外源基因在豚鼠内耳中的长期表达。用噪音制备了豚鼠耳聋模型 ,在噪音损伤后第 7天 ,通过圆窗膜注入 1× 10 8重组腺病毒。注入神经营养素 3重组腺 (Ad NT3)的组为实验组 ,注入Ad lacZ的为对照组。 4周后 ,经NT3抗体免疫细胞化学染色可见 ,在注入Ad NT3病毒的实验组中 ,在内耳多种细胞中有明显的NT3蛋白的表达。HE染色显示 ,注射Ad lacZ组的豚鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞明显退变 ,螺旋神经节内细胞间隙拉大 ,细胞密度明显低于注射Ad NT3实验组动物 (P <0 .0 1)。这一结果说明 ,腺病毒介导的NT3基因可长期表达于内耳中 ,并且可在噪音引起毛细胞死亡后有效地抑制螺旋神经节细胞的退变。     

雌激素对老年C57BL/6J小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞凋亡的影响*

目的:观察雌激素对于老年C57BL/6J小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞凋亡的影响,并探讨雌激素对老年性耳聋保护作用的可能机制。方法:将40只C57BL/6J雌鼠分为以下4组(10只/组): 3 m组(3月龄组),12 m组(12月假手术组); 12 m OVX组(12月去卵巢组),在9月龄行双侧卵巢切除术,正常饲养至12月龄;12 m OVX+E2组(雌激素干预组)在9月龄行双侧卵巢切除术,经过1月洗脱期后,给予皮下注射雌激素100 μg/(kg·d),持续2月至12月龄,其余各组小鼠正常喂养。至12 m OVX+E2组小鼠给药结束后,尾静脉采血,酶联免疫吸附( ELISA) 法检测各组小鼠血清雌激素水平;听性脑干反应(ABR)检测各组小鼠听力阈值变化;用2%戊巴比妥钠麻醉小鼠,断颈后取双侧耳蜗,石蜡包埋切片,苏木精-伊红HE染色观察各组小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节形态学变化;TUNEL 染色观察各组小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节神经元凋亡情况;取耳蜗螺旋神经节,应用实时荧光定量PCR(QRT-PCR)检测各组小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节凋亡蛋白Caspase-3、Bax、Bcl-2 mRNA 表达水平。结果:12 m组与3 m组相比,小鼠听力阈值升高(P＜0.01),耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞出现缺失严重及异常凋亡(P＜0.01);12 m OVX组小鼠听力阈值高于12 m组(P＜0.01),且螺旋神经节细胞缺失加重,细胞凋亡增多(P＜0.01),凋亡蛋白 Caspase-3、Bax mRNA水平升高(P＜ 0.01),抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2 mRNA水平降低(P＜0.01);外源性给予雌激素12 m OVX+E2组,较12 m OVX组,听力阈值降低(P＜0.01),细胞凋亡减少,凋亡蛋白 Caspase-3、Bax mRNA水平降低(P＜0.01),抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2 mRNA水平升高(P＜0.01)。结论:雌激素可抑制老年C57BL/6J小鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节细胞凋亡,从而实现对老年性耳聋的保护作用。     

内耳免疫反应诱导Fas和FasL表达与凋亡的关系

目的研究内耳免疫反应过程中是否存在细胞凋亡,以及细胞凋亡是否与Fas和FasL信号转导有关.方法选用雌性白色豚鼠16只,随机分为实验组和对照组各8只,以钥孔虫戚血蓝蛋白(keyhole limpet hemocyanin,KLH)全身免疫后,实验组以相同抗原进行内耳免疫,对照组内耳注射等量的磷酸盐缓冲生理盐水(phosphate buffered saline,PBS),在内耳免疫5d后处死动物,取内耳免疫侧耳蜗做石蜡切片.通过脱氧核糖核苷酸末端转移酶介导的缺口末端标记技术(terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling,TUNEL)检测内耳凋亡细胞,免疫组化检测内耳Fas和FasL的表达.结果实验组豚鼠内耳Corti器毛细胞,血管纹的缘细胞和螺旋神经节细胞存在TUNEL染色阳性细胞,而对照组动物切片仅在支持细胞、血管纹和螺旋神经节细胞中发现极少数TUNEL染色阳性细胞.免疫组化染色实验组Corti器、螺旋神经节细胞、血管纹和螺旋韧带Fas和FasL蛋白表达阳性,而对照组只有螺旋神经节细胞和血管纹有较弱的Fas蛋白表达,FasL蛋白表达阴性.结论内耳免疫反应可诱导细胞凋亡的发生,Fas-FasL途径是参与此过程重要的信号转导途径之一.     

豚鼠庆大霉素耳中毒后HSP70 mRNA的表达

为探讨热休克蛋白(heatshockprotein,HSP)70mRNA在庆大霉素(gentamicin,GM)耳中毒中的意义,本实验选用耳廓反射灵敏的健康白色红目豚鼠(200~250g)20只,雌雄不拘,随机分成两组,每组10只。实验组动物每日腹腔注射GM100mg/kg;对照组动物每日腹腔注射与GM等量的生理盐水2.5ml/kg。两组动物混合饲养,均连续用药10d。在用药前1天和停药后第1天进行听脑干反应(auditorybrainstemresponse,ABR)测试。各组豚鼠在行第二次ABR检测后,应用原位杂交及图像分析技术观察GM耳中毒后HSP70mRNA在豚鼠耳蜗中表达。结果显示:实验组耳蜗ABR阈值明显高于对照组,有显著性差异(P<0.01);实验组豚鼠耳蜗血管纹、螺旋韧带、螺旋神经节细胞HSP70mRNA表达呈强阳性,其平均灰度值较正常对照组明显减小(P<0.001),即GM能显著增强耳蜗HSP70mRNA的表达。结果提示,GM中毒后,动物可能通过增加HSP70mRNA在耳蜗的表达,起保护听力的作用。     

豚鼠庆大霉素耳中毒后诱发的耳蜗热休克反应

目的：探讨热休克蛋白（HSP）70在庆大霉素（GM）耳中毒中的意义。方法：应用SABC免疫组化技术及图像分析技术并结合听脑干反应（ABR）测试。观察庆大霉素耳中毒后热休克蛋白70在豚鼠耳蜗中表达及其与听阈的关系。结果：实验组耳蜗Corti‘s器、血管纹、螺旋韧带、螺旋缘、螺旋神经节细胞HSP70表达呈强阳性。且ABP阈值变化与HSP70表达的变化高度相关（｜γ｜＞0．8,P＜0．01）。结论：庆大霉素耳中毒后能够诱发耳蜗热休克反应,增加HSP70在豚鼠耳蜗的表达,保护听力。     

川芎嗪对顺铂诱导豚鼠耳蜗细胞凋亡的影响

目的:探讨川芎嗪对顺铂耳蜗毒性中细胞凋亡的影响及可能的作用机制。方法:将60只健康白色红目豚鼠随机分为3组:对照组、顺铂组和中药组,各组动物均于用药前及停药后测试听觉脑干诱发电位(ABR).电镜观察螺旋神经节细胞超微结构损伤情况,利用TUNEL测定各组耳蜗细胞凋亡情况。结果:对照组ABR阈值为40.94±6.75 db,顺铂组ABR阈值为76.26±4.54 db,中药组ABR阈值为58.98±5.82 db,三组比较,差异具有显著性(P<0.01);耳蜗透射电镜显示中药组较顺铂组耳蜗组织超微结构损伤明显减轻;TUNEL检测顺铂组有大量阳性细胞,与中药组比较,差异具有显著性(P<0.01)。结论:川芎嗪可以通过抑制细胞凋亡来拮抗顺铂的耳蜗毒性。     

VIP和SP在自发性高血压大鼠耳蜗中的表达与意义

目的通过研究两种神经肽VIP(血管活性肠肽)、SP(P物质)在自发性高血压大鼠耳蜗中的表达,探讨VIP、SP在高血压性内耳疾病中的作用.方法采用免疫组织化学SABC法,观察VIP、SP在自发性高血压大鼠耳蜗中的表达,并利用图象分析系统测量阳性表达区域平均光密度值,进行定量分析.结果基底转螺旋神经节细胞数目高血压组明显少于正常组(P<0.01).螺旋神经节细胞胞浆中和血管纹处均有VIP和SP表达.在螺旋神经节细胞胞浆中,VIP和SP的含量两组间差异无显著性意义(P>0.05);在血管纹中,VIP的表达高血压组高于正常组(P<0.05),而SP的含量差异无显著性意义(P>0.05).结论VIP和SP都是听觉传导通路的神经递质,而且VIP还参与耳蜗微循环的神经体液调节.     

卡那霉素耳慢性中毒对豚鼠耳蜗毛细胞中Bcl-2表达的影响

目的:探讨卡那霉素耳慢性中毒对豚鼠耳蜗毛细胞中Bcl-2表达的影响。方法:取20只豚鼠随机分为2组,实验组连续14d肌肉注射硫酸卡那霉素,200mg/(kg.d),对照组连续14d等量肌肉注射生理盐水,停药14d处死动物后制作耳蜗标本,处死前检测其ABR的变化,免疫组化及原位杂交法测定Bcl-2的表达。结果:豚鼠卡那霉素耳慢性中毒后,ABR阈值较对照组明显上升,Bcl-2阳性表达减低,与对照组比较差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论:卡那霉素耳慢性损害可能与抑制Bcl-2的表达有关。     

Relationship of Glucocorticoid Receptor Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and the Cochlea of Guinea Pigs and Effects of Dexamethasone Administration

Background

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used to treat sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and significantly improve hearing. However, GC insensitivity has been observed in some patients of SSNHL.

Objective

To study the correlation between GR expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in the cochlea of guinea pigs at mRNA and protein levels.

Methods

One group of guinea pigs received dexamethasone (10 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneally for 7 consecutive days (dexamethasone group), and another group of guinea pigs received normal saline (control group). Real time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of GR mRNA and GR protein in PBMCs and the cochleae.

Results

The GR mRNA and GR protein were detected in both PBMCs and the cochlear tissue of guinea pigs. GR mRNA and GR protein levels in PBMCs were positively correlated with those in the cochlea. The expression of GR mRNA and GR protein was significantly increased in the dexamethasone group compared to the control group.

Conclusions

Levels of GR mRNA and GR protein in the PBMCs were positively correlated with those in the cochlea of guinea pigs. Systemic dexamethasone treatment can significantly up-regulate GR expression in PBMCs and in the cochlea. Measurement of the GR level in PBMCs could be used as an indicator of GR level in the cochlea.     

Radioprotective Effect of Aminothiol PrC-210 on Irradiated Inner Ear of Guinea Pig

Radiotherapy of individuals suffering with head & neck or brain tumors subserve the risk of sensorineural hearing loss. Here, we evaluated the protective effect of Aminothiol PrC-210 (3-(methyl-amino)-2-((methylamino)methyl)propane-1-thiol) on the irradiated inner ear of guinea pigs. An intra-peritoneal or intra-tympanic dose of PrC-210 was administered prior to receiving a dose of gamma radiation (3000 cGy) to each ear. Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABRs) were recorded one week and two weeks after the radiation and compared with the sham animal group. ABR thresholds of guinea pigs that received an intra-peritoneal dose of PrC-210 were significantly better compared to the non-treated, control animals at one week post-radiation. Morphologic analysis of the inner ear revealed significant inflammation and degeneration of the spiral ganglion in the irradiated animals not treated with PrC-210. In contrast, when treated with PrC-210 the radiation effect and injury to the spiral ganglion was significantly alleviated. PrC-210 had no apparent cytotoxic effect in vivo and did not affect the morphology or count of cochlear hair cells. These findings suggest that aminothiol PrC-210 attenuated radiation-induced cochlea damage for at least one week and protected hearing.     

Diet-Induced Obesity Exacerbates Auditory Degeneration via Hypoxia,Inflammation, and Apoptosis Signaling Pathways in CD/1 Mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of diet-induced obesity on hearing degeneration in CD/1 mice. Sixty 4-week-old male CD/1 mice were randomly and equally divided into 2 groups. For 16 weeks, the diet-induced obesity (DIO) group was fed a high fat diet and the control group was fed a standard diet of 13.43 % kcal fat. The morphometry, biochemistry, auditory brainstem response thresholds, omental fat, and histopathology of the cochlea were compared between the beginning and end of the study (4 vs. 20 weeks old). The results show that the body weight, fasting plasma triglyceride concentrations, and omental fat weight were higher in the DIO group than in the control group at the end of experiment. The auditory brainstem response thresholds at high frequencies were significantly elevated in the DIO group compared to those of the control group. Histology studies showed that, compared to the control group, the DIO group had blood vessels with smaller diameters and thicker walls in the stria vascularis at the middle and basal turns of the cochlea. The cell densities in the spiral ganglion and spiral ligament at the basal turn of the cochlea were significantly lower in the DIO group. Immunohistochemical staining showed that hypoxia-induced factor 1 (HIF-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), caspase 3, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1, and apoptosis inducing factor were all significantly more dense in the spiral ganglion and spiral ligament at the basal turn of cochlea in the DIO group. Our results suggest that diet-induced obesity exacerbates hearing degeneration via increased hypoxia, inflammatory responses, and cell loss in the spiral ganglion and spiral ligament and is associated with the activation of both caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis signaling pathways in CD/1 mice.     

Neurotrophin Gene Therapy for Sustained Neural Preservation after Deafness

The cochlear implant provides auditory cues to profoundly deaf patients by electrically stimulating the residual spiral ganglion neurons. These neurons, however, undergo progressive degeneration after hearing loss, marked initially by peripheral fibre retraction and ultimately culminating in cell death. This research aims to use gene therapy techniques to both hold and reverse this degeneration by providing a sustained and localised source of neurotrophins to the deafened cochlea. Adenoviral vectors containing green fluorescent protein, with or without neurotrophin-3 and brain derived neurotrophic factor, were injected into the lower basal turn of scala media of guinea pigs ototoxically deafened one week prior to intervention. This single injection resulted in localised and sustained gene expression, principally in the supporting cells within the organ of Corti. Guinea pigs treated with adenoviral neurotrophin-gene therapy had greater neuronal survival compared to contralateral non-treated cochleae when examined at 7 and 11 weeks post injection. Moreover; there was evidence of directed peripheral fibre regrowth towards cells expressing neurotrophin genes after both treatment periods. These data suggest that neurotrophin-gene therapy can provide sustained protection of spiral ganglion neurons and peripheral fibres after hearing loss.