Yi Zhangyi, Wang Xiaoying, Yin Ge, Sun Yu
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
Pharmaceutics. 2025 Apr 7;17(4):482. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics17040482.
The inner ear is a relatively isolated organ, protected by the blood-labyrinth barrier (BLB). This barrier creates a unique lymphatic fluid environment within the inner ear, maintaining a stable physiological state essential for the mechano-electrical transduction process in the inner ear hair cells while simultaneously restricting most drugs from entering the lymphatic fluid. Under pathological conditions, dysfunction of the stria vascularis and disruption in barrier structure can lead to temporary or permanent hearing impairment. This review describes the structure and function of the BLB, along with recent advancements in modeling and protective studies related to the BLB. The review emphasizes some newly developed non-invasive inner ear drug delivery strategies, including ultrasound therapy assisted by microbubbles, inner ear-targeting peptides, sound therapy, and the route of administration of the cerebrospinal fluid conduit. We argue that some intrinsic properties of the BLB can be strategically utilized for effective inner ear drug delivery.
内耳是一个相对独立的器官，受血迷路屏障（BLB）保护。该屏障在内耳内创造了独特的淋巴液环境，维持内耳毛细胞机械 - 电转导过程所必需的稳定生理状态，同时限制大多数药物进入淋巴液。在病理条件下，血管纹功能障碍和屏障结构破坏可导致暂时性或永久性听力损害。本文综述了血迷路屏障的结构和功能，以及与血迷路屏障相关的建模和保护研究的最新进展。综述强调了一些新开发的非侵入性内耳药物递送策略，包括微泡辅助超声治疗、内耳靶向肽、声疗法和脑脊液导管给药途径。我们认为，血迷路屏障的一些内在特性可被策略性地用于有效的内耳药物递送。
