Effects of statins on the recovery of olfactory function in a 3-methylindole-induced anosmia mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of olfactory function, no effective medications have been identified to treat olfactory disorders. This study was performed to evaluate the functional recovery of olfaction damaged by 3-methylindole (3MI) in a mouse model with hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins). METHODS: In a randomized placebo-controlled trial, 24 healthy female BALB/c mice (aged 9-10 weeks and weighing 18-20 g each) were randomly allocated to statin-treated or control groups. Olfactory loss was induced by i.p. injections of 3MI. Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) or normal saline was then administered per os with a gastric tube for 3 weeks. The effects of treatment were evaluated by food-finding tests and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Both groups showed complete losses of olfactory function 1 week after 3MI injection. Three weeks after 3MI injection, 9 of the 12 mice in the statin-treated group (75%) passed a food-finding test, in which they were able to find the food within 3 minutes, at least two times out of three trials. However, only two mice in the control group (16.6%) passed the food-finding test, and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.004; chi-square test). The expression level of the olfactory marker protein was also elevated in the statin-treated group (p = 0.030; Wilcoxon rank sum test). CONCLUSION: Statins are associated with recovery of olfaction after 3MI injection in a mouse model.

A Relationship between the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate.

OBJECTIVES: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a marker for inflammation, and it has been identified as a risk factor for atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the plasma ESR level and nocturnal oxygen desaturation or other polysomnographic variables and to examine the role of obesity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: This retrospective study included 72 patients with a diagnosis of OSAS who underwent overnight polysomnography and routine blood tests between July and December of 2005. We compared the plasma ESR level with the sum of all the polysomnographic variables and divided the patient group into obese and non-obese patients. RESULTS: The mean ESR level was 8.45 mm/hr. There was a significant difference in the ESR level between genders (P<0.001). A significant correlation was found between the percentage of time spent at a SpO(2) below 90% and the ESR level in the obese group (BMI >/=25, N=43, P=0.012). In addition, the ESR levels had a positive correlation with age in the obese group (P=0.002). However, there was no significant correlation with the percentage of time spent at a SpO(2) below 90% in the whole group of patients and in the non-obese group (BMI <25, N=29). The ESR level showed no correlation with the other polysomnographic variables. CONCLUSION: The duration of deoxygenation in obese patients with OSAS may be associated with the ESR level which is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease.

Otologic manifestations of Hunter syndrome and their relationship with speech development.

The excessive storage of mucopolysaccharide in Hunter syndrome leads to various otologic manifestations. We interviewed 19 patients with Hunter syndrome to assess their otologic problems, and conducted audiologic tests and temporal bone CT. Patients with the intermediate or severe form exhibited severe speech delay by more than 2 years (12/14 patients). However, in patients with the mild form (5/5), speech development was not much disturbed (2/5), although otoscopic findings were similar. The hearing threshold determined by the auditory brainstem response differed significantly between the mild and intermediate/severe forms (p < 0.05). Therefore, patients with the mild form may benefit from active otologic intervention such as VT insertion, amplification, and speech therapy.

Changes of maxillary sinus volume and bony thickness of the paranasal sinuses in longstanding pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the chronic bony changes in the paranasal sinuses of longstanding chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in pediatric patients and to compare them with normal controls. STUDY DESIGN: A single-institution retrospective analysis. METHOD: Thirty 15- and 16-year-old children with longstanding CRS, for more than 2 years, despite maximal medical treatment and had a Lund CT score over 20 were enrolled as the CRS group. They were compared with 45 age and gender matched randomly selected normal controls without CRS. No enrolled patient had a history of nasal or adenoid surgery. The volume of the maxillary sinus was measured using a three-dimensional CT reconstruction program (V-works 4.0). The bony thickness of the maxillary (MS) and ethmoid sinuses (ES) and the middle turbinate (MT) was measured and compared. In addition, we evaluated the effect of disease duration on the sinus volume and bony thickness. RESULTS: The mean volume of the MS was 22.5+/-4.4 cm(3) in the normal group and 20.0+/-4.1 cm(3) in the CRS group; this difference was statistically significant (p=0.02). However, there was no correlation found between the disease duration and maxillary sinus volume (r=-0.07, p=0.69). The mean thicknesses of the bony walls were 1.0+/-0.4 mm (MS), 0.8+/-0.4 mm (ES) and 1.8+/-0.5 mm (MT) in the normal group and 1.2+/-0.3 mm (MS), 1.2+/-0.4 mm (ES) and 2.4+/-0.5 mm (MT) in the CRS group; these differences were significant (p<0.01). In addition, the bony thickness of the ES was significantly correlated with the duration of symptoms (r=0.44, p=0.03). CONCLUSION: The volume of the maxillary sinuses decreased and the bony thickness of the paranasal sinuses increased with longstanding pediatric CRS.