Does intratympanic xylitol administration have ototoxic effects in a mouse ear model?

Objective: To research the ototoxicity of xylitol after intratympanic injection in mice ear model.

Methods: 24 female mice Balb/c mice (48 ears) included in the study. The mice were divided into 4 groups as 6 mice were found (12 ears) in each group. Solutions of 0.9% NaCl solution (Group A), 155 mg/ml (Group B), 310 mg/ml (Group C) and 620 mg/ml (Group D) xylitol, were applied into the middle ear cavity. Microscopic ear examination and auditory brainstem response test were done for each mouse before application of xylitol and on the 1st, 3rd and 10th day of injection.

Results: There are some statistically significant alterations found in the threshold values at 8000, 12000, 16000, 24000 Hz frequencies when each group were compared in itself on day 0, 1,3 and 10, which were independent from the increasing dosage.

Conclusion: According to our findings intratympanic xylitol injection does not have any ototoxic effect in the inner ear. To evaluate the effects of xylitol more clinical studies are need to carried out.