Role of melatonin in prevention of age-related hearing loss

INTRODUCTION: Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a consequence of aging of the auditory system. The best known mechanism of cell death in ARHL is apoptosis due to increased production of reactive oxygen species. In this context, it is hypothesized that melatonin, owing to its high antioxidant potential and its action in the mitochondria, helps prevent or delay outer hair cell dysfunction (HCD). AIMS: To evaluate the effect of melatonin on the prevention of HCD dysfunction in the ARHL process in a susceptible murine C57BL/6J model. METHOD: C57BL/6J animals were divided into two groups: control (CG) and melatonin (MG). The CG received a saline and ethanol solution and the MG, melatonin (10 mg/kg/day). The solutions were offered daily (50 μl) orally over a 10-month period. Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE) measurements were conducted once a month. RESULTS: There was a decrease in DPOAE values in both groups over time and a differentiation between them from the 10th month of life onwards. At 10 months, the MG maintained higher DPOAE values than the CG at all frequencies tested. CONCLUSION: The use of melatonin has otoprotective effects on HCD in the ARHL process in the C57BL/6J model.