Abstract
Here, we describe the effects of statins on the treatment of presbycusis in C57BL/6J mice. In this strain with accelerated aging, we demonstrate that animals treated with atorvastatin for 2 months showed larger amplitudes of distortion product otoacoustic emissions than did the non-treated control group.
This finding indicates a better survival of outer hair cell function in the inner ear of C57BL/6J mice. The observed decreased expression of intercellular and vascular adhesion molecules in the aortic wall of atorvastatin-treated animals suggests that reducing endothelial inflammatory effects may contribute to the positive effect of atorvastatin on the amplitudes of DPOAE by influencing the blood supply to the inner ear.
No such beneficial effect of statins was found in apoE-/- mice treated with atorvastatin under the same conditions. Our results suggest that statins could also slow down the age-related deterioration of hearing in man.