Do All Antioxidant Supplements Have the Same Potential Effect on Preventing Myringosclerosis?

OBJECTIVES: Myringosclerosis is an irreversible pathological healing mechanism of the tympanic membrane which can result in the formation of sclerotic plaques. Antioxidant treatment is a recognised prevention therapy and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), lycopene, and grape seed extract (GSE), were used in this manner. METHODS: Forty-four Wistar rats were used in this experiment, and, following myringotomies, the animals were randomly divided into four groups. CoQ10, lycopene or GSE was administered orally to the respective groups, starting from the day of surgery. Otomicroscopy examination was performed on the 14th day. All tympanic membrane lesions were evaluated and compared otomicroscopically and histopathologically. RESULTS: The otomicroscopy and histopathological findings, compared against a control (saline) group, showed the CoQ10, lycopene, and GSE groups had statistically significant differences of degree of sclerosis (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: CoQ10, lycopene, and GSE were compared against a saline group and their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects were similar. The formation of myringosclerotic plagues after experimental myringotomy in rats significantly decreased and diminished after systemic administration of the three different antioxidant supplements.