The effect of Hath1 over–expression in of guinea pig cochlea at one month after noise damage

ObjectiveTo study effects of Adenovirus–mediated Hath1 expression in guinea pig cochlea at one month after exposure to intensive noise.MethodsNormal hearing guinea pigs, weighing 250–300g, received exposure to 200 rounds of impulse noise at 170 dB sound pressure level (SPL). The virus vector was inoculated into the left cochlea 1 month after noise exposure. Animals were tested using ABR and prepared for morphological examinations includeing immunocytochemistry and SEM 4 weeks after vector inoculation.ResultsThe adenovirus mediated report gene expressed in the damaged area. There were no significant differences between treated and control animal in ABR threshold and morphologic changes. No new hair cells appeared in the Hath1 treated animals.ConclusionForced hath1 over–expression in the cochlea 1 month after noise exposure does not lead to appearance of new hair cells.