Ciliary neurotrophic factor antagonizes gentamicin-induced alterations of electric potentials in auditory pathway in guinea pigs

AIM: To study the effects of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) on the expressions of gentamicin ototoxicity in guinea pigs. METHODS: The auditory function of pigmented guinea pigs was examined using auditory brainstem response (ABR), cochlea microphonic potential (CM), and action potential of auditory nerve (AP). RESULTS: In animals injected gentamicin (80 mg.kg-1.d-1, i.m.), ABR threshold began to elevate on d 20, and prolongations of ABR wave I, IV and the I-IV interpeak latencies were observed. The animals treated with gentamicin for 30 d displayed lower amplitudes of CM and AP (N1) than the controls. CNTF (0.44 mg.kg-1.d-1, s.c.) inhibited the gentamicin-induced elevation of ABR thresholds, the prolongation of ABR wave I, IV and the I-IV interpeak latencies, and the decreases in amplitudes of CM and AP (N1). CONCLUSION: CNTF attenuated the gentamicin-elicited auditory impairment in guinea pigs.