Protective effects of exogenous GM-1 ganglioside on acoustic injury of the mouse cochlea

GM-1 ganglioside (GM-1), a glycosphingolipid, is embedded in the lipid layer of neuronal membranes and is one of the neuroprotective agents. To the best of our knowledge, the role of GM-1 has never been examined in hair cell injury. The purpose of this study was therefore to evaluate the effects of GM-1 on acoustic injury of the cochlea. Mice were exposed to 4-kHz pure tone of 128 dB SPL (sound pressure level) for 4 h. GM-1 was intraperitoneally administered immediately before the onset of acoustic overexposure. The threshold shift of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) and hair cell loss were then evaluated 2 weeks after acoustic overexposure. Immunostaining for 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), indicative of lipid peroxidation, was also examined in animals subjected to acoustic overexposure. GM-1 treatment significantly decreased the ABR threshold shifts and hair cell loss after acoustic overexposure. And immunostaining for 4-HNE was reduced by GM-1 treatment. These findings suggest that GM-1 is involved in the protection of the cochlea against acoustic injury through inhibiting lipid peroxidation.