Blebs in inner and outer hair cells: a pathophysiological hypothesis

• Published in: Journal of laryngology and otology 2008-11, Vol.122 (11), p.1151-1155
• Main Authors: Ramírez-Camacho, R, García-Berrocal, J R, Trinidad, A, Verdaguer, J M, Nevado, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenosine triphosphatase; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Apoptosis; Biological and medical sciences; Blister - chemically induced; Blister - pathology; Cell Apoptosis; Cell Necrosis; Cisplatin; Cisplatin - adverse effects; Cochlear Microphonic Potentials - drug effects; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Ear Diseases - chemically induced; Ear Diseases - pathology; Ears & hearing; Guinea Pigs; Hair; Hair Cells, Auditory - drug effects; Hair Cells, Auditory - ultrastructure; Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner - drug effects; Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner - ultrastructure; Hair Cells, Auditory, Outer - drug effects; Hair Cells, Auditory, Outer - ultrastructure; Hearing loss; Hearing protection; Inner Ear; Laboratory animals; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Ototoxicity; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - chemically induced; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - pathology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Toxicity; Toxicity: respiratory system, ent, stomatology
• ISSN: 0022-2151; 1748-5460
• DOI: 10.1017/S002221510700134X

The ototoxic effects of cisplatin include loss of outer hair cells, degeneration of the stria vascularis and a decrease in the number of spiral ganglion cells. Scanning microscopy has shown balloon-like protrusions (blebs) of the plasma membrane of inner hair cells following cisplatin administration. The present study was undertaken to identify the possible role of inner and outer hair cell blebs in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Twenty-five guinea pigs were injected with cisplatin and their hearing tested at different time-points, before sacrifice and examination with scanning electron microscopy. Seven animals showed blebs in the inner hair cells at different stages. Hearing thresholds were lower in animals showing blebs. Cisplatin seems to be able to induce changes in inner hair cells as well as in other structures in the organ of Corti. Blebbing observed in animals following cisplatin administration could play a specific role in the regulation of intracellular pressure.