Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of cytokines and soluble adhesion molecules in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) with respect to their pure-tone audiometry values.
Material and Methods: This study analyses blood samples of 51 patients with SSNHL. Serum levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1,
E-selectin, IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 were evaluated by ELISA. Pure-tone audiometry data were compared before and after a systemic steroid treatment regimen. The subjects with SSNHL were compared to a control group of 44 patients with normal hearing and matching age and gender. The data complete our previous data collection.
Results: There is trend toward suppressed levels of MCP-1 in sera of SSNHL patients. There were no statistically significant differences concerning ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 between SSNHL patients and controls. Puretone audiometry of the SSNHL group showed a significant improvement in hearing after systemic steroid therapy and a median follow-up of 4 months.
Conclusions: Further prospective studies are necessary to prove the role of MCP-1 and other cytokines in SSNHL in order to develop adequate treatment regimens.
Haubner, F