Control of chronic otitis media and sensorineural hearing loss in C3H/HeJ mice: Glucocorticoids vs mineralocorticoids

OBJECTIVE: The impact of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids on chronic otitis media (COM) in toll-like receptor 4-deficient C3H/HeJ mice was investigated. STUDY DESIGN: To evaluate control of COM by steroids with differences in their anti-inflammatory (prednisolone, dexamethasone), and fluid absorption functions (fludrocortisone, aldosterone). A minimum sample size of five animals for each group was required based on power analysis calculations. Sample sizes ranged from 7 to 17 mice per treatment group. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Auditory brain stein response (ABR) thresholds were performed at baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Histopathologic test results were evaluated on all mice cars at the end of the study. RESULTS: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of ABR threshold change showed significant treatment effects (P < 0.05) by both steroid types at all time intervals and ABR frequencies except 4 weeks/8 kHz. Histologic assessment showed prednisolone-treated mice (62%) had a higher rate of clearance of middle and inner car inflammation than control mice (4%). CONCLUSION: it was concluded that steroid treatments can improve the physiology of chronic middle and inner ear disease seen with COM. (C) 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. All rights reserved.