Oxidative stress and inflammation cause auditory system damage via glial cell activation and dysregulated expression of gap junction proteins in an experimental model of styrene-induced oto/neurotoxicity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Redox imbalance and inflammation have been proposed as the principal mechanisms of damage in the auditory system, resulting in functional alterations and hearing loss. Microglia and astrocytes play a crucial role in mediating oxidative/inflammatory injury in the central nervous system; however, the role of glial cells in the auditory damage is still elusive.

Objectives

Here we investigated glial-mediated responses to toxic injury in peripheral and central structures of the auditory pathway, i.e., the cochlea and the auditory cortex (ACx), in rats exposed to styrene, a volatile compound with well-known oto/neurotoxic properties.

Methods

Male adult Wistar rats were treated with styrene (400 mg/kg daily for 3 weeks, 5/days a week). Electrophysiological, morpho

SUBMITTER: Paciello F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10765700 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature