Triamcinolone acetonide protects auditory hair cells from 4-hydroxy-2,3-nonenal (HNE) ototoxicity in vitro

CONCLUSION: Triamcinolone acetonide crystalline suspension (e.g. Volon A) was not ototoxic to the auditory hair cells present within organ of Corti explants and protected them from an ototoxic molecule, i.e. 4-hydroxy-2,3-nonenal (HNE), that is produced within the organ of Corti as a result of oxidative stress-induced damage. OBJECTIVES: To test the corticosteroid, triamcinolone acetonide, for ototoxicity and otoprotective capacity in organ of Corti explants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Organ of Corti explants excised from 4-day-old rats were the test system, HNE was the ototoxin challenge. Hair cell integrity counts were performed with fluorescent microscopy on fixed explants stained with FITC-labeled phalloidin. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Triamcinolone acetonide did not affect hair cell integrity in the organ of Corti explants and it provided a high level of protection of hair cells against the ototoxic effects of a damaging level of HNE as determined by hair cell density counts.