Does melatonin alleviate ototoxic effect caused by administration of cisplatin?

Abstract

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to experimentally investigate the protective effects of melatonin in the cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.Material and Methods: Ten Wistar-albino rats were included in the study. Two equal groups were generated randomly as cisplatinand melatonin groups. Rats’ underwent Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE)testing before the drug administration and the results were recorded. Both tests were repeated 72 hours after the cisplatinadministration in all rats.Results: Significant difference was found between the I-IV interval values before the treatment and after the treatment both incisplatin and melatonin group. As well as the significant difference in hearing threshold value changes, statistically, significantdifferences in ABR-I and ABR-IV interval variations were also seen between the cisplatin and melatonin groups. A statisticallysignificant decrease was found between the initial and final control SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) levels within the cisplatin group inthe evaluations at 2000Hz, 3000Hz and 4000Hz. Statistically, significant differences were observed between SNR levels when themelatonin group was compared with the cisplatin group.Conclusion: Melatonin appears to reduce cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in rats. Although, the use of supplementary therapies targetingto reduce the toxic effects in clinical studies is still a controversial point.