Ciliary neurotrophic factor antagonizes gentamicin-induced alterations of electric potentials in auditory pathway in guinea pigs.

AIM To study the effects of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) on the expressions of gentamicin ototoxicity in guinea pigs. METHODS The auditory function of pigmented guinea pigs was examined using auditory brainstem response (ABR), cochlea microphonic potential (CM), and action potential of auditory nerve (AP). RESULTS In animals injected gentamicin (80 mg.kg-1.d-1, i.m.), ABR threshold began to elevate on d 20, and prolongations of ABR wave I, IV and the I-IV interpeak latencies were observed. The animals treated with gentamicin for 30 d displayed lower amplitudes of CM and AP (N1) than the controls. CNTF (0.44 mg.kg-1.d-1, s.c.) inhibited the gentamicin-induced elevation of ABR thresholds, the prolongation of ABR wave I, IV and the I-IV interpeak latencies, and the decreases in amplitudes of CM and AP (N1). CONCLUSION CNTF attenuated the gentamicin-elicited auditory impairment in guinea pigs.