The Protective Effect of Ginkgo Biloba Extract on Cisplatin-induced Ototoxicity in Humans

The Protective Effect of Ginkgo Biloba Extract on Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity in Humans Beings Evaluated by Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions

The proposal of this study was to evaluate in human beings, using distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) test, the action of ginkgo biloba extract (GBE761)as a possible ear protective against cisplatin (CDDP) induced hearing loss.

The ototoxicity is an alteration caused by drugs that compromises the auditory and vestibular functions. The cisplatin (CDDP) is a potent antineoplastic agent used for the treatment of cancer in both adults and children although it has several side effects. Current opinion is that cisplatin ototoxicity occurs due to alterations in the antioxidant system of the outer hair cells (OHC) of the cochlea. The distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) has been showed to be a sensitive test for diagnosis of OHC injury and has been used for monitoring treatment with ototoxic drugs. Because of their antioxidant properties, the ginkgo biloba extract (GBE761) was evaluated in human beings as a possible ear protective against cisplatin induced hearing loss, using DPOAE test.

Ear protection, Ginkgo Biloba Extract, Distortion-product otoacoustic emission, Ototoxicity, Cisplatin

The subjects were randomized and allocated in two groups: Control Group(CG) and Study Group(SG). the study group received GBE761(120mg twice a day) plus cisplatin and was guided to ingest GBE761 just before initial cisplatin dosage. The maximum cumulative cisplatin dosage was 300mg/m². They were followed up for ninety days. Comparisons were made between baseline distortion-product otoacoustic emissions measurements and those DPOAE records after maximum cumulative cisplatin dosage.

The subjects were randomized and allocated in two groups: control group and study group. The control group received placebo plus cisplatin and was guided to ingest Placebo just before initial cisplatin dosage. The maximum cumulative cisplatin dosage was 300mg/m². They were followed up for ninety days. Comparisons were made between baseline distortion-product otoacoustic emissions measurements and those DPOAE records after maximum cumulative cisplatin dosage.

the effect of GBE761 as a possible protector against cisplatin (CDDP) induced hearing loss was evaluated through the DPOAE. Comparisons were made between baseline measurements and those records after maximum cumulative CDDP dosage.

The protective effect of GBE761 on CDDP induced ototoxicity in human beings was evaluated with DPOAE mean amplitudes and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values at in the frequencies ranging from 1 to 8KHz in the study and control groups, between before and after cumulative CDDP injections, in order to evaluate the significant differences in DPOAE results, and so to differentiate hearing status ( normal hearing or hearing loss) while the subjects were taking GBE or placebo.

Inclusion Criteria: Over the age of eighteen Patients that will begin treatment with cisplatin No prior treatment with cisplatin Exclusion Criteria: Individuals with middle ear, cochlear or retrocochlear disease Presence of changes in pure tone audiometry and/or distortion-product otoacoustic emissions

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