Article
Neuroprotective Effect of Monomethyl Fumarate on Spiral Ganglion Neurons
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Published: | September 7, 2016 |
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Outline
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Introduction: Fumaric acids are well established drugs for Psoriasis treatment and due to their neuroprotective effects for treatment of Multiple sclerosis. In the auditory system, the loss of sensory hair cells induces a progressive degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons (SGN). The only therapeutical options for patients with a severe to profound hearing loss are Cochlear-Implants (CIs). In CIs, the hearing quality depends on the remaining SGN population which are the target cells for electrical stimulation. In this study we aim to investigate the neuroprotective effect of monomethyl fumarate (MMF) on auditory neurons.
Methods: Spiral ganglion neurons of postnatal mice were cultured as single cells, in organotypic explant cultures and in neurosphere assays. After 24 h in organotypic culture cells were exposed to oxidative stress (50 µM H2O2) for 2 h and treated additional 48 h with MMF. Survival and neurite length were measured under MMF towards control groups without MMF treatment by immunohistochemical staining.
Results and conclusion: MMF significantly increased the survival and neurite length in each setting towards the control groups. The neuroprotective effect of MMF on auditory neurons and the associated survival of SGN population may be used in combination with CIs and lead to an improvement of functional results in these patients.
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