Protective Effect of Melatonin on Cisplatin-induced Ototoxicity in Rats

Abstract

Background/aim: Cisplatin is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent that is used to treat solid tumors; however, its severe side effects remain a limitation. In particular, the high incidence of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity has attracted interest. Melatonin has been shown to decrease the toxic effects of cisplatin due to its antioxidant activity, and could increase the efficacy of cancer chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of melatonin against ototoxicity in rats treated with cisplatin.

Materials and methods: Rats were randomly divided into four groups (saline, melatonin, cisplatin+saline, and melatonin+cisplatin). Distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) measurements were carried out on days 1 and 8.

Results: There was a decrease in DPOAE amplitudes in the animals that received cisplatin (10 mg/kg); however, the group treated with cisplatin+melatonin presented DPOAE amplitudes comparable to those of the control groups.

Conclusion: Melatonin can be used as an adjuvant tumor treatment due to its ability to decrease cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

Keywords: Ototoxicity; cisplatin; melatonin; otoacoustic emissions.