Abstract
Sensorineural hearing loss is a prevailing health issue worldwide which usually occurs due to sensory inner ear cell destruction. These cells, once damaged, do not regenerate in mammals resulting in permanent hearing loss. Effective treatment of inner ear diseases is strongly correlated with efficient drug delivery to the inner ear. Researchers have made important efforts to deliver drugs locally to the inner ear in a safe and controllable manner. Different strategies and drug delivery systems were used to mitigate the resistance exerted by the multiple anatomical barriers found in the inner ear. Nanoparticles represent an option for sustained drug delivery to the inner ear. Nanocarrier-based systems can diffuse through the round and oval window membrane allowing for direct delivery into the inner ear components. Certain types of enhanced nanoparticles can focus on specific parts of the inner ear, providing targeted delivery which might represent the future therapy for sensorineural hearing loss. In this article, we will present the latest advances in the treatment of hearing loss based on nanoparticles.
Highlights
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a common feature of many inner ear diseases, including presbycusis, genetic diseases, noise-induced hearing loss, ototoxic hearing loss, and autoimmune inner ear disease
The scope of this review is to present the latest advances in targeted drug delivery to the inner ear, which might lead to new therapeutic options for SNHL
Dexamethasone-loaded nanoparticles were injected using the intratympanic route in a mouse experimental model, and their effect was compared with intratympanic dexamethasone injection for preventing ototoxic drug induced hearing loss
Summary
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a common feature of many inner ear diseases, including presbycusis, genetic diseases, noise-induced hearing loss, ototoxic hearing loss, and autoimmune inner ear disease. Both environmental and genetic factors can alter hearing. SNHL develops due to damage to the cells of the inner ear as well as the disruption of the retrocochlear pathways from the spiral ganglion cells to the brain The treatment of this condition poses a serious challenge on account of two main reasons: firstly, the sensory-neural transducer epithelial cells and nerve cells of the inner ear never recover once they have been destroyed, and the loss of hearing is definitive. The scope of this review is to present the latest advances in targeted drug delivery to the inner ear, which might lead to new therapeutic options for SNHL
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