Astaxanthine protective against cisplatin-induced hearing loss in vivo: Study

China: A recent study in the journal Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B has found that astaxanthine (AST) could be a candidate therapeutic agent for cisplatin-induced hearing loss (CIHL).

The study for the first time showed that AST reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) overexpression, apoptosis via NRF2-mediated pathway, and mitochondrial dysfunction in cisplatin-exposed HEI-OC1 cell lines and mouse cochlear explants that promotes cell survival. 

Astaxanthine has important biological activities including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that could alleviate neurological and heart diseases, but its role in the prevention of cisplatin-induced hearing loss is not yet well understood. 

In this study, a steady interaction between AST and the E3 ligase adapter Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, a predominant repressor of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), was performed and tested via computer molecular docking and dynamics. AST protected against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity via NRF2 mediated pathway using quantitative PCR and Western blotting. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential revealed that AST reduced ROS overexpression and mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, AST exerted anti-apoptosis effects in mouse cochlear explants using immunofluorescence staining and HEI-OC1 cell lines using quantitative PCR and Western blotting. Finally, AST combined with poloxamer was injected into the middle ear through the tympanum, and the protection against CIHL was evaluated using the acoustic brain stem test and immunofluorescent staining in adult mice.

DOI: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211383521002513