Researchers from the University of Southern California and Harvard discovered a novel way for a drug to zero in on damaged nerves and cells inside the ear, a remedy that could potentially restore the hearing of those who suffer from sensorineural hearing loss. (Bioconjug Chem. 2018;29[4]:1240.) They designed and tested a bisphosphonate conjugate of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (Ris-DHF), a known, potent agonist of the tropomyosin receptor kinase B that protects the cochlear spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) from apoptosis. They found that Ris-DHF increases neurite outgrowth in vitro, maintains this ability after binding to hydroxyapatite, and regenerates synapses in kainic acid-damaged cochlear organ of Corti explants dissected in vitro with attached SGNs. Charles E. McKenna, a corresponding author for the study and chemistry professor at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, said what's new here is they figured out how to deliver a drug into the inner ear so it actually stays put. "Inside this part of the ear, there's fluid constantly flowing that would sweep dissolved drugs away, but our new approach addresses that problem," McKenna said.
The research was conducted on animal tissues in a petri dish. It has not yet been tested in living animals or humans, the researchers are hopeful that this will also work in living test subjects given the similarities of cells and mechanisms involved. McKenna said they are already planning the next phase involving animals and hearing loss. "We're not saying it's a cure for hearing loss," McKenna said. "It's a proof of principle for a new approach that's extremely promising. It's an important step that offers a lot of hope."
from #ORL-AlexandrosSfakianakis via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2HpPWuz
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