A potential serological biomarker for inner ear pathologies: OTOLIN-1

Objective. The goal of the study was to determine whether the level of OTOLIN-1, a protein whose expression is highly restricted to the inner ear,is increased in the body fluids of patients with inner ear disorders in comparison to healthy subjects. Methods. In the preliminary part of the study, OTOLIN-1 levels were measured in the serum, urine, and saliva of patients with an acute onset of Menieres disease and in healthy individuals. Subsequently, only serum OTOLIN-1 levels were taken into account and were compared between patients with acute onset of Menieres disease, sudden hearing loss, vestibular neuritis and healthy subjects. Results. The most reliable diagnostic parameter was OTOLIN-1 levels in serum. Serum samples of patients with Meniere's disease and sudden hearing loss showed significantly higher OTOLIN-1 levels than those from healthy individuals. In addition, there was no significant difference between the serum concentration of OTOLIN-1 in patients with vestibular neuritis and the control group. Conclusions. Serum levels of OTOLIN-1 can potentially be used as a biomarker for acute onset of inner ear disorders due to its significant increase in patients with acute Menieres disease and sudden hearing loss in comparison to healthy individuals.

Automated summary

The study aimed to determine the level of OTOLIN-1 protein in body fluids of patients with inner ear disorders and compare it to healthy subjects. Serum OTOLIN-1 levels were found to be the most reliable diagnostic parameter. Patients with Meniere's disease and sudden hearing loss showed significantly higher levels of OTOLIN-1 in serum compared to healthy individuals. There was no significant difference in serum OTOLIN-1 concentration between patients with vestibular neuritis and the control group. Therefore, serum OTOLIN-1 levels can potentially be used as a biomarker for acute onset of inner ear disorders.