Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells mitigate colistin-induced cochlear ototoxicity: an experimental study

OpenAlex İngilizce

Purpose: This study investigates the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells in colistin-induced hearing loss. Materials and Methods: Forty Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (n=10): Control (36 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal (ip) saline for 7 days), Colistin (36 mg/kg/day ip for 7 days), Mesenchymal stem cell group (MSC) (5×10⁶ MSC via tail vein), and Colistin+Mesenchymal stem cell group (Col+MSC) (colistin for 7 days, then MSC 1 hour after final dose). After the experiment, cochlear tissues were extracted, fixed, decalcified, embedded in paraffin, sectioned (5µm), and stained with Masson’s trichrome (MT) for histological evaluation under light microscopy. Results: Colistin caused marked structural damage, especially in the basal and medial cochlear turns. In the apical and medial regions, stria vascularis thickness was significantly lower in the colistin group (10.64±1.90, 11.54±2.32) than in the control (14.12±2.03, 15.43±2.26) and MSC (13.91±1.49, 14.53±1.80) groups. Significant intergroup differences were also noted in the basal turn. Inner hair cell lengths were similar apically but significantly reduced in the colistin (30.73±4.28) and Col+MSC (31.06±6.96) groups medially. Outer hair cell lengths were significantly reduced in the colistin group in both apical (32.23±8.32) and basal (18.32±2.47) regions. Tectorial membrane thickness in the basal turn was significantly reduced in all treatment groups compared to the control (17.64±5.41). Based on Freitas et al.'s criteria, the colistin group showed significantly higher histopathological damage scores in all regions compared to the control and MSC groups. The Col+MSC group showed improved morphology and lower scores, though some differences lacked statistical significance. Conclusion: MSCs significantly alleviated colistin-induced ototoxicity, indicating their protective and therapeutic potential in inner ear injury.