How resveratrol protects hearing from the effects of noise
Researchers at the Henry Ford Clinic in Detroit, working under the guidance of Dr. Michael D. Seidman, are studying resveratrol and its effect on inflammatory reactions, which are the body's response to damage. It is believed that inflammation can cause many health problems, including Alzheimer's disease, cancer, aging and hearing loss.
Hearing loss is a common symptom of aging. In most people, hearing gradually weakens with age, but this process can be greatly aggravated by strong noise influences. Noise-induced hearing loss not only affects a person's ability to distinguish sounds, but also, in certain cases, can cause sleep disorders and even increase the risk of developing heart disease due to increased blood pressure, as well as levels of lipids and carbohydrates in the blood.
Earlier work by Dr. Seidman and his colleagues demonstrated the ability of resveratrol, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, to reduce the severity of temporary changes in the hearing threshold and damage to the inner ear hair cells of healthy rats caused by exposure to strong noise.
The aim of the authors' latest study was to identify potential protective mechanisms triggered by resveratrol after intense noise exposure by assessing its effect on the expression of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is a marker of inflammation, and the formation of reactive oxygen species.
The results obtained indicate that acoustic hyperstimulation leads to a time-dependent increase in the expression of cyclooxygenase-2. At the same time, the use of resveratrol suppresses the production of reactive oxygen species, inhibits the expression of COX-2 and reduces the severity of noise-induced hearing loss.
Ultimately, the observations made by the authors indicate that the ability of resveratrol to prevent noise-induced hearing impairment is based on a decrease in the activity of cyclooxygenase-2 and suppression of the formation of reactive oxygen species. However, they note that other mechanisms may be involved in the protective effect of resveratrol.
Article by M. D. Seidman et al. Resveratrol Decreases Noise-Induced Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression in the Rat Cochlea is published in the journal Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of Henry Ford Health System:
Resveratrol Shows Promise to Protect Hearing, Cognition.
26.02.2013