Effects of NSAIDs on the Inner Ear Possible Involvement in Cochlear Protection.docVIP

Pharmaceuticals 2010, 3, 1286-1295; doi:10.3390/ph3051286 OPEN ACCESS pharmaceuticals ISSN 1424-8247 /journal/pharmaceuticals Review Effects of NSAIDs on the Inner Ear: Possible Involvement in Cochlear Protection Tomofumi Hoshino, Keiji Tabuchi * and Akira Hara Department of Otolaryngology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan; E-Mails: tomofumi@tara.tsukuba.ac.jp (T.H.); haraakir@md.tsukuba.ac.jp (A.H.) * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: E-mail: ktabuchi@md.tsukuba.ac.jp; Tel.: +81-298-53-3147; Fax: +81-298-53-3147. Received: 30 March 2010; in revised form: 12 April 2010 / Accepted: 22 April 2010 / Published: 27 April 2010 Abstract: Cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, two important enzymes involved in arachidonic acid metabolism, are major targets of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Recent investigations suggest that arachidonic cascades and their metabolites may be involved in maintaining inner ear functions. The excessive use of aspirin may cause tinnitus in humans and impairment of the outer hair cell functions in experimental animals. On the other hand, NSAIDs reportedly exhibit protective effects against various kinds of inner ear disorder. The present review summarizes the effects of NSAIDs on cochlear pathophysiology. NSAIDs are a useful ameliorative adjunct in the management of inner ear disorders. Keywords: NSAIDs; cochlea; cyclooxygenase; lipoxygenase 1. Introduction Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are some of the most commonly used drugs in daily clinical practice. They are usually used as painkillers, antipyretics, etc.. In the arachidonic cascade, membrane phospholipids are metabolized into various mediators. Classic NSAIDs inhibit activity of cyclooxygenase (COX) that is responsible for the cyclic endoperoxide of prostaglandin (PG)