RESUMEN
Oxidative stress exerts major role in the pathogenesis of side effects of many antineoplastic drugs, including ototoxicity of cisplatin. In particular, increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) represent one of the molecular mechanisms underlying the apoptosis of different types of hearing cells. Antioxidants and ROS scavengers may thus represent potential therapeutic options to prevent platinum-associated ototoxicity. The aim of this preliminary case-control study was to explore the efficacy of a dietary antioxidant supplement, in order to hamper the occurrences of ototoxicity in patients undergoing cisplatin chemotherapy. As results, a significant protection against cochlear toxic damage was demonstrated in patients who took the antioxidant supplement, which furthermore prevented the occurrence of hearing disorders and tinnitus. These clinical evidences were corroborated by the oxidative status of patients. After cisplatin chemotherapy, the plasma derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) content rapidly increased in control patients, but it was maintained in those under dietary supplementation, likely because of a higher anti-ROMs potential. Indeed, an increment in rapid anti-ROMs was detected in supplemented patients, though no differences were highlighted in terms of slow anti-ROMs. In conclusion, in this preliminary report we demonstrated the feasibility of a dietary antioxidant supplementation in order to prevent the cisplatin induced hearing damage.
RESUMEN
CONCLUSION: These preliminary data are encouraging for a larger clinical trial to collect additional evidence on the effect of Q-TER(®) in preventing the development of hearing loss in subjects with presbycusis. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and applicability of a water-soluble formulation of CoQ10 (Q-TER(®)) in subjects with presbycusis. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with presbycusis were included and divided into three numerically equal groups. Group A underwent therapy with Q-TER(®), 160 mg, once a day for 30 days; group B underwent therapy with vitamin E (50 mg), once a day for 30 days; group C received placebo, once a day for 30 days. Before and at the end of the treatment, all patients underwent pure tone audiometry, transient evoked otoacoustic emissions, otoacoustic products of distortion, auditory brainstem response, and speech audiometry. RESULTS: Compared with group B, at the end of the treatment in group A the liminar tonal audiometry showed a significant improvement of the air and bone thresholds at the 1000 (14/20 vs 9/20), 2000 (14/20 vs 7/20), 4000 (15/20 vs 6/20), and 8000 Hz (13/20 vs 5/20). We found no significant differences in the other parameters and in group C.