Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-13T01:54:03.032Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Effects of capsaicin pre-treatment in experimentally-induced secretory otitis media

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Sema Başak*
Affiliation:
Departments of Oto-rhino-laryngology, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey.
Serap Türkütanit
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey.
Murat Sarierler
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey.
Kubilay K. Metin
Affiliation:
Departments of Oto-rhino-laryngology, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey.
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Sema Başak, Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi, Tip Fakültesi, Kulak-Burun-Boǧaz Anabilim Dali, Aydin, Turkey. Fax: +90 2120146 E-mail: obasak@fornet.net.tr

Abstract

Neurogenic inflammation may play a role in the aetiology of secretory otitis media (SOM). The strongest candidate that initiates the characteristic symptoms of neurogenic inflammation is supposed to be substance P. Capsaicin is a specific antagonist of substance P. The effects of capsaicin on middle ear mucosa have not been studied yet. In an attempt to investigate the effect of pre-treatment with capsaicin on the development of SOM an experimental study was performed. Fourteen Wistar rats were divided into two groups. Seven rats were pre-treated with capsaicin (Group 1) and the others were administered isotonic saline solution (Group 2). Seven days after the third injection rats were operated on and the right tympanal orifice of the Eustachian tube was obstructed. Animals were sacrificed seven days after the operation. Their bullas were excised bilaterally and were studied by light microscopic technique. In Group 1 there was no effusion except for one case. The subepithelial layer was thickened by fibroblast proliferation. Capillary proliferation and some glandular atrophy were observed. In Group 2 the middle ear lumens were filled with effusion. Oedema with dilatation in capillaries and medium-sized vessels of lamina propria was observed as a common feature of the group. Subepithelial fibrosis was found in one case. Capsaicin pre-treatment prevented the formation of effusion in the middle ear lumen in spite of tuba occlusion. The results of this preliminary study lead us to consider that an imbalance in the autonomic innervation of the mucosa of the middle ear may play a role in the aetiology of SOM as in vasomotor rhinitis, and capsaicin may be an alternative in the treatment.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Albiin, N., Hellström, S., Stenfors, L. E., Cerne, A. (1986) Middle ear mucosa in rats and humans. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology (Suppl 95): 126.Google ScholarPubMed
Goldie, P., Hellström, S. (1988) Autonomic nerves and middle ear fluid production. An experimental study in the rat. Acta Otolaryngolgica (Stockholm) 106: 1018.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Goldie, P., Hellström, S. (1990) Identification and characterization of middle ear vascular leakage sites in experimental otitis media. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology 99: 810816.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Goldie, P., Hellström, S., Idahl, L. A. (1989) Middle ear effusion induced by various inflammatory mediators and neuropeptides. An experimental study in the rat. Acta Otolaryngologica (Stockholm) 108: 246252.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Györfi, A., Fazekas, A., Irmes, F., Jakab, G., Sütö, T., Rosivall, L. (1993) Role of substance P (SP) in development of symptoms of neurogenic inflammation in the oral mucosa of the rat. Journal of Periodontology Research 28: 191196.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hellström, S., Goldie, P. (1991) Mechanisms of otitis media development: involvement of neurogenic inflammation. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America 24: 829834.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hellström, S., Salén, B., Stenfors, L. E. (1982) The site of initial production and transport of effusion materials in otitis media serosa. Acta Otolaryngologica (Stockholm) 93: 435440.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ito, J., Oyagi, S., Honjo, I. (1993) Autonomic innervations in the middle ear and pharynx. Acta Otolaryngologica (Stockholm) (Suppl 506): 9093.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kuijpers, W., van der Beek, J. M. H., Willart, E. C. T. (1979) The effect of experimental tubal obstruction on the middle ear. Acta Otolaryngologica (Stockholm) 87: 345352.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Norlander, T., Bolger, W. E., Stierna, P., Uddman, R. (1996) A comparison of morphological effects on the rabbit nasal and sinus mucosa after surgical denervation and topical capsaicin application. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology 253: 205213.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Oyagi, S., Ito, J., Honjo, I. (1987) The origin of autonomic nerves of the middle ear as studied by the horseradish peroxidase tracer method. Acta Otolaryngologica (Stockholm) 104: 463467.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tos, M. (1981) Experimental tubal obstruction. Changes in middle ear mucosa elucited by quantitative histology. Acta Otolaryngologica (Stockholm) 92: 5161.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Uddman, R., Kitajiri, M., Sundler, F. (1983) Autonomic innervation of the middle ear. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology 92: 151154.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Uddman, R., Luts, A., Sundler, F. (1985) Occurrence and distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the mammalian respiratory tract and middle ear. Cell Tissue Research 241: 551555.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Uddman, R., Sundler, F., Emson, P. (1984) Occurrence and distribution of neuorpeptide-Y-immunoreactive nerves in the respiratory tract and middle ear. Cell Tissue Research 237: 321327.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Widemar, L., Hellström, S., Schultzberg, U., Stenfors, L. E. (1985) Autonomic innervation of the tympanic membrane. An immunocytochemical and histofluorescence study. Acta Otolaryngologica (Stockholm) 100: 5865.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wolf, G., Anderhuber, W., Hauser-Kronberger, C., Saria, A. (1995) Die Behandlung der unspezifischen hyperreflektorischen Rhinopathie (vasomotorischen Rhinitis) mit Capsaicin. Laryngo-Rhino-Otologie 74: 289293.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed