Protective effect of pentoxifylline on amikacin-induced ototoxicity in rats

Purpose: This experimental study was performed to investigate the possible protective effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) on amikacin-induced ototoxicity in rats. Materials and methods: In this study, 21 healthy female rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: the amikacin group (n = 8), the amikacin + PTX group (n = 8), and the control group (n = 5). The amikacin group received amikacin (200 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) intramuscularly once daily for 14 days. The amikacin + PTX group received intramuscular injections of amikacin (200 mg.kg(-1):day(-1)) once daily for 14 days and PTX (25 mg:kg(-1):day(-1)) once daily via gastric gavage for 14 days. The control group received:saline solution (1 mL.day(-1) intraperitoneal injections) once daily for 14 days. The hearing levels of the rats were evaluated using distortion product otoacoustic emissions before and after treatment. Results: The distortion product otoacoustic emissions' amplitude levels (decibel, sound pressure levels) measured before and after treatment at frequencies of 4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz revealed that values of the amikacin group dropped significantly at the end of treatment (P < .01). In contrast, the amikacin + PTX and the control groups showed no significant difference at the end of the treatment compared with the initial measurements (P > .05). Conclusion: The results showed that PTX has protective effects on hearing functions in amikacin-induced ototoxicity in rats. (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.