Inhibitory effect of mesna and 5-fluorouracil on propylene glycol-induced cholesteatoma in rats

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of different doses of sodium-2-mercaptoethanesulphonate (MESNA) and 5-fluorouracil on cholesteatoma formation. METHODS: Fifty-six Wistar albino male rats were divided into seven groups with eight rats in each. On the first, eighth and fifteenth days, 0.2 ml of saline was administered to the group 1 (control group), and propylene glycol to induce cholesteatoma the other groups. On the 22(nd) day of the study, 0.2 ml saline was given to Group 1 and Group 2. Groups 3 to 7 were treated with 0.2 ml 100% MESNA, 0.2 ml 50% MESNA, 0.2 ml 20% MESNA, 0.2 ml 5-fluorouracil and 0.1 ml 100% MESNA plus 0.1 ml 5-fluorouracil, respectively, with all applications performed by intratympanic injection. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between Group 1 and all other groups except Group 3. Significant differences were also found between Group 3 and Groups 2, 5 and 6 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, experimental cholesteatoma induced with propylene glycol may be inhibited by MESNA at 100% concentration.