ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate of the effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in preventing cochlear damage due to gentamicin by the means of expression of neuronal factors
Metods: In our study, 36 female Spraguea Dawley rats were used. They were divided into 3 groups such as (saline), Gentamicin + Serum physiological (saline) and Gentamicin + NAC. After 15 days, the rats were sacrificed. Cochleae were removed and examined histopathologically. The immunoreactivity of neurofilament and neuronal growth factor primary antibodies was examined in the tissues taken.
Results: Neuroflament immunoreactivity was quite significant in afferent and efferent nerve bundles in the saline group and Gentamicin + NAC group, whereas it was weak in the Gentamicin + serum physiological group. Also neuronal growth factor immunoreactivity was moderate in afferent and efferent nerve bundles in the saline group and Gentamicin + NAC group, it was negative at vestibular ganglia, and weak in afferent and efferent nerve fiber bundles in the Gentamicin + serum physiological group.
Conclusion: It was shown immunohistochemically that ototoxicity caused by gentamicin was significantly reduced when the NAC combination was applied.
