The lack of 4-hydroxynonenal in otosclerotic bone tissue in Ethiopian population.

In Ethiopians, like in other Africans, the incidence of otosclerosis is lower than in Western and Asian populations. Unfortunately, due to the lack of available otorhinolaryngology specialists many patients are not treated and suffer the progression of the disease and severe hearing loss. This program of the Global ENT Outreach Organization (GEO) together with the Ethiopian partners was done to help some of these patients and in parallel to evaluate the presence of the oxidative stress bioactive marker 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), which is known as major lipid peroxidation product and the second messenger of free radicals, in the otosclerotic bone specimens.