Yenigün A., Aksoy M. F. (Yürütücü)
Yükseköğretim Kurumları Destekli Proje, BAP Araştırma Projesi, 2011 - 2011
Objective: Betahistine augments cochlear blood flow and is currently used as an efficient therapeutic agent. Amikacin
is used in a wide range of areas, but its ototoxic effect continues to be problematic. This study investigates the effect of
betahistine on amikacin-induced ototoxicity.
Methods: Thirty-two healthy rats were randomized to 4 groups of 8 rats in each group (amikacin, amikacin + betahistine,
betahistine, and no treatment). Amikacin was administered intramuscularly to groups 1 and 2 for 14 days. Betahistine was
delivered by oral gavage to groups 2 and 3 for 21 days. Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and auditory
brainstem response (ABR) tests were conducted on all rats.
Results: There were significant decreases in the DPOAE levels and significant increases in the ABR thresholds of the
amikacin and amikacin + betahistine groups on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days, as compared to their basal values. The DPOAE
levels of the amikacin + betahistine group significantly decreased on days 7, 14, and 21, and the ABR thresholds significantly
increased on the same days, as compared to the amikacin group.
Conclusion: Our study implies that amikacin’s ototoxic effects are augmented by the concurrent use of betahistine.
Experimental and clinical research, supported by histopathological studies, is needed to affirm our findings.