Pentoxifylline response in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Conclusion. This study in rats shows that pentoxifylline may reverse detrimental effects of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the auditory system. Objective. To investigate whether delayed auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) induced by DM improve following pentoxifylline treatment in rats. Materials and methods. Baseline ABRs were recorded in 25 ears of 13 normal-hearing rats. DM was induced by a single injection of alloxan (75 mg/kg of body weight) in all rats. Following a 1-month diabetic period, ABRs were recorded in six diabetic rats. Then, pentoxifylline treatment was administered for 6 weeks (20 mg/kg in drinking water), and final ABR testing was performed. Absolute latencies of waves I, III and V, and inter-peak latency differences (IPL) of I–V were measured in each stage of the experiment. These parameters were compared to each other in a pair-wise manner. Results. All wave latencies and IPL I–V were prolonged following induction of DM. Delay in waves III and V, and IPL I–V was significant (p<0.05). Pentoxifylline improved all of the wave latencies and IPL I–V, but significant improvement was observed in waves III and V (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between baseline measurements and measurements following pentoxifylline treatment.

• Diabetes mellitus
• hearing loss
• auditory brainstem responses
• pentoxifylline