Elucidation of the pathophysiology of acute sensory deafness focusing on deficiency of the essential trace element selenium

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18720
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Ohkoshi Akira 東北大学, 大学病院, 講師 (70772979)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: セレン / 感音難聴

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study is to clarify the mechanism of the onset of sensorineural deafness due to the deficiency of the essential trace element selenium, focusing on the selenium-containing protein that acts to protect against oxidative stress, and to connect it to clinical application. This study was conducted in parallel with a basic study by mouse genetics and an observational study in patients with head and neck cancer who received cisplatin, a typical drug with ototoxicity. As a result of hearing evaluation by ABR after acoustic exposure in mice, no significant difference was observed in the ABR value between the low selenium diet alone and the normal diet. Nrf2-deficient mice are bred on a low selenium diet, and similar studies are being conducted, but stable results have not been obtained, and the hypothesis is still being tested.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉・頭頸部外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

低セレン環境は音響暴露による感音難聴の直接の危険因子であることは証明されなかった。しかしながら、同時にすすめた頭頸部がん患者における観察研究においては、低セレン状態は急性感音難聴発症には影響を与えないものの、放射線化学療法の副作用に影響し、完遂率を低下させる要因であることが明らかになった。セレンに代表される微量元素や栄養管理の重要性はますます高まることが期待される。