Clinical study and animal model of the drug delivery system to the inner ear

Recently, some kinds of the drug delivery system to the inner ear were devised, and actually these systems were used clinically in USA. We also try to use this new system. However, only a few drugs(gentamicin, steroid, etc.)were used for the inner ear diseases. Study about the plasticity of the inner ear has been advanced, and many kinds of drugs may be useful for the recovery of the inner ear function. Because these drugs will be used in practice, we made the animal model of the drug delivery system and have examined the effect of these drugs for the functional recovery of the inner ear, about both vestibular and cochlear functions. Guinea pigs have been used for this animal model. Fine catheter was inserted into the tiny hole which was made adjacent to the round window. The catheter connected to an osmotic pump filled with saline(control)or drugs. Hearing threshold was evaluated with ABR before and after pump implantation. ABR hearing thresholds in these animals didn't change. To investigate the effect of some drugs on vestibular function, we observed post-rotatry nystagmus changes as a maker of vestibular function after administration of some drugs to the guinea pig inner ear. We demonstrated that a few drugs are effective for the recovery of the inner ear function. In future, these new drugs may be useful for the patients that complain of inner ear symptoms.

内耳疾患

メニエール病

正円窓

浸透圧ポンプ

本文データは山口大学医学会の許諾に基づきCiNiiから複製したものである