The contribution of sulfur species in the pathogenesis of sensorineural hearing loss and upper airway eosinophilic inflammation

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K09700
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Suzuki Jun 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 准教授 (80735895)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 太田 伸男 東北医科薬科大学, 医学部, 教授 (20282212) ; 池田 怜吉 岩手医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (30645742)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: 活性イオウ分子種 / 騒音性難聴 / 好酸球性副鼻腔炎 / 超イオウ / 感音難聴

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The role of sulfur species, including supersulfides, in the pathogenesis of sensorineural hearing loss and upper airway eosinophilic inflammation remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated no significant difference in the noise sensitivity in CARS2 AINK/+ mice with reduced production of supersulfides. Analysis using clinical samples revealed that the levels of GSSSG, a precursor of supersulfides, as well as cysteine and glutathione, were significantly reduced in the paranasal mucosa of patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis compared to normal control mucosa without inflammation. Additionally, we developed an experimental system for measuring sulfur species in exhaled breath and conducted comparisons of sulfur compound concentrations in exhaled breath for tumorous and inflammatory diseases of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、好酸球性副鼻腔炎患者の副鼻腔粘膜において、酸化ストレス防御機構に関わるイオウ化合物の濃度が低下していることが明らかになった。この結果は、好酸球性副鼻腔炎の病態形成にイオウ化合物が関与することを示唆しており、治療法の開発に結び付く可能性がある。また、経鼻呼気中の活性イオウ分子種を測定する実験系を新規に確立した。今後、鼻副鼻腔疾患のみならず、様々な気道疾患に対するイオウ化合物の関与を検討する準備を完了することができた。