Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor protect the vestibular organ against gentamicin ototoxicity.

In order to find a way to develop a new treatment for inner ear disorders, the effects of a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor [N-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME)] and a neurotrophin [brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)] were investigated. The effect of L-NAME and BDNF on gentamicin-induced vestibular hair cell damage was investigated by using the in vitro LIVE/DEAD system. Both L-NAME and BDNF individually reduced the vestibular hair cell damage caused by gentamicin but the combination of L-NAME and BDNF was more successful in preventing damage. It is therefore suggested that treatment with a combination of an NOS inhibitor and a neurotrophin will help us to treat inner ear disorders.