Changes Of Middle Ear Mucosa Research Articles

Role of TGF-β1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the pathogenesis of tympanosclerosis.

The present study aimed to explore the role of TGF-β1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the pathogenesis of tympanosclerosis. Sprague Dawley rats were injected with inactivated Streptococcus pneumoniae suspension to establish a rat model of tympanosclerosis. The rats were sacrificed 8 weeks after the model was established. H&E and von Kossa staining was used to observe the morphological changes of middle ear mucosa. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of TGF-β1 and EMT-associated proteins in the mucosa samples. Middle ear mucosal epithelial cells of rats were collected to establish a primary culture. The cultured cells were stimulated with TGF-β1 and the expression of EMT-associated proteins was detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence. In addition, the cells were treated with TGF-β receptor type I/II inhibitor and the expression level of EMT-associated proteins was detected by western blotting. Sclerotic lesions appeared on 72.4% of tympanic membranes, and marked inflammation, inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis were found in the middle ear mucosa of rat models of tympanosclerosis. In middle ear mucosa of rats with tympanosclerosis, the expression of mesenchymal cell markers increased and that of epithelial cell markers decreased compared with the control group. TGF-β1 stimulated the activation of the EMT pathway in middle ear mucosal epithelial cells, resulting in an increased expression of fibronectin and N-cadherin. In addition, a decreased expression level of EMT-associated proteins was observed when TGF-β1 was inhibited. In conclusion, the present study indicated that TGF-β1-mediated EMT may play an important role in the pathogenesis of tympanosclerosis.

Ototoxicity of boric acid powder in a rat animal model.

IntroductionBoric acid, which has antiseptic and acidic properties, is used to treat external and middle ear infections. However, we have not found any literature about the effect of boric acid powder on middle ear mucosa and inner ear.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to investigate possible ototoxic effects of boric acid powder on cochlear outer hair cell function and histological changes in middle ear mucosa in a rat animal model.MethodsTwenty healthy, mature Wistar albino rats were used in this study. The rats were divided into two groups, Group A and Group B, each of which consisted of 10 rats. Initially, the animals in each group underwent distortion product otoacoustic emissions testing of their right and left ears. After the first distortion product otoacoustic emissions test, a surgical microscope was used to make a small perforation in both ears of the rats in each group, and a second distortion product otoacoustic emissions test was used to measure both ears in all of the rats. Boric acid powder was applied to the right middle ear of the rats using tympanic membrane perforation, and the distortion product otoacoustic emissions were measured immediately after the boric acid powder application. The histological changes and distortion product otoacoustic emissions were evaluated three days later in Group A and 40 days later in Group B.ResultsNo significant differences were found at all of the distortion product otoacoustic emissions frequencies. In Group A, mild inflammation of the middle ear mucosa was found on the third day after boric acid powder application. In Group B, boric acid powder caused mild inflammatory changes on the 40th day, which declined over time. Those changes did not lead to significant fibrosis within the mucosa.ConclusionIn rats, boric acid powder causes mild inflammation in middle ear mucosa and it has no ototoxic effects on cochlear outer hair cell function in the inner ear of rats.

Effect of IL-12 on Experimental Allergic Otitis Media with Effusion

Objective: To investigate the role of IL-12 in the pathogenesis of Otitis media with effusion (OME) in animal model induced by ovalbumin. Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three group as OME group, IL-12 group, and control group. The rats of OME group were sensitized to OVA via intraperitoneal injection once a week for two weeks and then challenged transtympanic. The rats of IL-12 group and control group were sensitized and challenged in the same way, but before challenge they were injected IL-12 and PBS transtympanic respectively. The histomorphologic changes of middle ear mucosa were observed with histochemical technique. The level of IL-4 and IL-5 was measured by immunohistochemistry. Results: Tympanal mucosa in OME group and control group rats thickened significantly. Meanwhile, inflammatory cells infiltrated obviously. Such histological findings were abated to absent in IL-12 group. The level of IL-4 and IL-5 in OME group and control group was higher significantly than in IL-12 group. Conclusion: The local application of IL-12 is effective in attenuating allergic inflammation of middle ear. It can be used as a novel treatment for allergic OME.

One-stage coclear implantation via a facial recess approach in children with otitis media with effusion

ObjectiveTo investigate surgical indications, operative techniques, complications and auditory and speech rehabilitation for cochlear implant (CI) in children with otitis media with effusion (OME). Material and methodsThis is a retrospective review of records of 24children with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss and OME who were implanted during January 2011 to November 2014 in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at the PLA Hospital, using one-stage implantation via the facial recess approach and round window insertion. The incus was removed in 8 cases during the implantation procedure. Local infiltration of dexamethasone and adrenaline in the middle ear was also performed. Postoperative complications were examined. Preoperative and postoperative questionnaires including Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP), Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR), and the Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (MAIS) were collected. ResultsAll electrodes were implanted successfully without any immediate or delayed complications. Inflammatory changes of middle ear mucosa with effusion were noted in all implanted ears. The scores of post-implant CAP and SIR increased significantly in all 24 cases (t = −25.95 and −14.09, respectively for CAP and SIR, p < 0.05). ConclusionsOne-stage CI via the facial recess approach with round window insertion is safe and effective in cochlear implant candidates with OME, as seen in the 24 children in our study who achieved improved auditory performance and speech intelligibility after CI.

Correlation between histomorphometric changes and the type of aerobic bacteria isolated in chronic suppurative otitis media

Bacterial flora is a very important factor in pathogenesis of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and significantly influences the type and intensity of osteolytic process. There are few histomorphometric investigations of middle ear mucosa in chronic otitis. The aim of this study was to identify aerobic bacteria responsible for chronic suppurative otitis media as well as their association with histomorphometric changes of middle ear mucosa. A prospective study that comprised 153 patients treated in the Clinc for Ear, Thorat and Nose Diseases, Nis, was conducted. Bacteriologic analysis of diseased ear secretion was carried out in all patients. Intraoperatively removed granulation tissue was used for histomorphometry. The analysed parameters were: the number of inflammatory cells, as well as vascularization and vasodilatation. The most frequently isolated aerobic bacteria from chronic suppurative otitis media were Staphylococcus aureus (29.020/0), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (29.02%) and Proteus spp. (21.76%). There was no correlation between the type of pathologic process and the type of bacteria. The number of inflammatory cells in the granulation tissue in pure cultures of Staphylococcus aureus was 1,597.33 +/- 549.45 and in Pseudomonas aurzginosa cultures was 2639 +/- 648. This study showed that there is a statistically significant correlation between the number of inflammatory cells in the granulation tissue and the type of aerobic bacteria we isolated. The intensity of the infection in chronic suppurative otitis media depends on the type of the isolated bacteria, which emphasizes the importance of adequate preoperative antimicrobial therapy.

Bioelectric Changes in Middle Ear Mucosa Caused by Prostaglandin E2

Bioelectric Changes in Middle Ear Mucosa Caused by Prostaglandin E2

Relationship between middle ear pressure, mucosal lesion, and mastoid pneumatization.

The inflammatory changes of pneumatic space mucosa are thought to affect the development of pneumatic space and the function of transmucosal gas exchange. So, it is assumed that the mucosal change is deeply involved in the onset and healing process of otitis media with effusion (OME). The objective of this study is to investigate whether the growth of the mastoid cells and the middle ear transmucosal gas exchange function in patients with OME are affected by the histopathologic changes in middle ear mucosa, and whether these two factors are changed by the treatment of OME. From 65 children with OME, middle ear mucosal specimens were collected during indwelling of a tympanic tube, and their histopathologic changes were compared with cell growth area measured on radiographic films and with the change in the middle ear total pressure (METP). Suppression of the cell growth area was stronger and the METP stayed lower in cases with a higher degree of mucosal lesion. Significant expansion of pneumatic area was observed after 2 years of tube indwelling, and the peak METP showed a significant increase after 1.5 years. This increase in the METP was caused by diffusion/absorption of CO2 and O2 and indicated recovery of the transmucosal gas exchange function. The growth of the mastoid cells and the middle ear transmucosal gas exchange function are closely affected by the subepithelial histopathologic changes in middle ear mucosa, and these two factors recover by the treatment of OME.

Changes of middle ear mucosa in secretory otitis media treated with ventilation tubes : Kiroglu F.; Kaya M.; Ozsahinoglu C.; Soylu L.; Polat S.ACTA OTO-LARYNGOL. (1990) 110/3–4 (266–273)

Changes of middle ear mucosa in secretory otitis media treated with ventilation tubes : Kiroglu F.; Kaya M.; Ozsahinoglu C.; Soylu L.; Polat S.ACTA OTO-LARYNGOL. (1990) 110/3–4 (266–273)

Changes of Middle Ear Mucosa in Secretory Otitis Media Treated with Ventilation Tubes

The present study was designed to obtain the precise ultrastructural status of the middle ear mucosa of patients to whom ventilation tubes were applied for the treatment of secretory otitis media (SOM). This study comprised 14 children with SOM aged 5-11. Normal epithelium obtained from otosclerotic patients as controls was composed of three main cell types; basal, ciliated, and secretory. Electron microscopic observations revealed that ciliated cells were almost completely absent in the epithelium of patients with SOM. Secretory cells, on the other hand, were noted to be increased in number with cytoplasmic features indicating active secretory phase; abundant secretory granules in these cells featured both serous and mucoid characteristics. Following the application of ventilation tubes, the micrographs exhibited a vast number of ciliated cells. Furthermore, the secretory cells were less conspicuous and the secretory granules were mostly serous in type. The ultrastructural findings of this investigation strongly suggest that the application of ventilation tubes in cases of SOM stimulates ciliated cell regeneration, inhibits secretion of mucoid material, and activates serous secretion; all of which eventually shorten the recovery period.

Delayed ultrastructural radiation induced changes in the human mesotympanic middle ear mucosa.

The irradiation-induced changes in the middle ear mucosa of six patients were described and discussed. The epithelium showed marked reduction of the cytoplasmic mass, variable degrees of ciliary loss and widening of the intercellular spaces with disruption of some of the maculae adherentes. The connective tissue stroma showed increased production of collagenous fibrous tissue and increased number of synthetically active fibroblasts. New gland formation has been observed and the glands exhibited reduced activity. The endothelial cells of some blood capillaries were swollen and the basal lamina was duplicated. The lumina of other capillaries were completely obliterated and replaced by a cord of fibrous tissue.