Abstract
Objectives:
Recently, visualization of endolymphatic hydrops has been achieved through intratympanic injection of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) and three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (3-D FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging. However, the effects of gadoteridol (ProHance®) on inner ear cells are not yet understood. Here, we investigated the physiological and morphological responses of guinea pig cochlear cells to gadoteridol.
Methods:
Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) levels were measured before and 1, 2, and 4 weeks after intratympanic injection of a 1/8 or 1/16 dilution of gadoteridol in guinea pigs. Moreover, morphological changes of isolated cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) were observed after application of gadoteridol and GdCl3.
Results:
At the highest frequency (F2 = 12000 Hz), DPOAE level was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the 1/8 diluted gadoteridol group than in the control group. Cell shape changes were observed in 24% (6/25) and 3% (1/33) OHCs after application of 1/8 and 1/16 diluted gadoteridol, respectively. The occurrence of morphological damage was significantly lower after application of saline compared to 1/8 diluted gadoteridol (P < 0.05). Moreover, morphological damage was significantly lower after application of 1/16 diluted gadoteridol compared to 1/8 diluted gadoteridol (P < 0.05). Morphological damages were shown at high rate (8/10 cells, 80%) after application of GdCl3.
Conclusions:
Administration of diluted solutions of gadoteridol might cause considerably less toxic effects on cochlear OHCs.
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