Abstract
Aim. To investigate the protective effect of piracetam in preventing combined cisplatin and gentamicin-induced ototoxicity in a guinea pig model.
Methods. Thirty-two male albino adult guinea pigs were used in this study. The animals were separated into three groups: Group I (control group; n = 10) received saline, Group II (CG group; n = 12) received combined cisplatin (3.5 mg/kg = 3.5 ml/kg) and gentamicin (100 mg/kg = 2.5 ml/kg), and Group III (PCG group; n = 10) received piracetam (350 mg/kg = 1.75 ml/kg) plus the combined cisplatin (3.5 mg/kg = 3.5 ml/kg) and gentamicin (100 mg/kg = 2.5 ml/kg) as a single dose/day for 5 consecutive days, intraperitoneally. Auditory brainstem response (ABR), wave absolute latencies (ALs) and interpeak latencies (IPLs) for each ear (n = 64) of all animals (n = 32) were monitored.
Results. Significant differences were found between CG and PCG groups in terms of ABR wave II AL (p < 0.01), III AL (p < 0.001), IV AL (p < 0.001), I-III IPL (p < 0.001), III-IV IPL (p < 0.01) and I-IV IPL values (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found in I AL value (p > 0.05).
Conclusion. These data show that piracetam has a protective effect against the ototoxicity produced by administration of combined cisplatin and gentamicin.
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