Analysis of potential protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester against gentamicin ototoxicity: An experimental study

OBJECTIVE(S): In this study, it is aimed to investigate the potential protective effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on ototoxicity caused by gentamicin in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups. Group I was selected as the control group. Gentamicin was administered intraperitoneally in group II, gentamicin and CAPE in group III. Audiological assessment was performed by the distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements before and after treatment of each group. At the end of the study all rats were decapitated, cochlea was removed and electron microscopic examination was performed. RESULTS: In group II post-treatment DPOAE levels were found to be lower than pretreatment DPOAE levels (P<0.05). However, in group III, there is no significant difference between pre- and post-treatment DPOAE levels (P>0.05). Except for Group I, ABR thresholds increased after the procedure and this increase was statistically significant (P<0.0001). According to histological examination by transmission electron microscopy, CAPE has a cellular protective effect against gentamicin ototoxicity. CONCLUSION: CAPE may ameliorate hearing deterioration caused by gentamicin ototoxicity and protect the cochlear cells from apoptosis due to the strong antioxidant effect.