Magnesium therapy in acoustic trauma

Magnes Res. 2006 Dec;19(4):244-54.

Abstract

Acoustic trauma is one of the major causes of hearing loss and tinnitus, particularly in industrial environments. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) results in direct mechanical damage as well as in indirect metabolic processes. Metabolic disorders have multiple origins: ionic, ischemic, excitotoxic and production of cochlear free radicals causing cell death, due to necrosis or apoptosis. The efficacy of magnesium, administered either to prevent or to treat NIHL has been demonstrated in several studies in animals and in humans. Magnesium, which easily crosses the hematocochlear barrier, presents neuroprotective and vasodilatory effects, and thus, is able to limit the cochlear damage. Magnesium therapy is well documented because it is usually prescribed in other pathologies. Its side effects and contraindications are few and it is cheap. This article presents also some arguments that emphasize the interest of magnesium therapy in acoustic trauma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cochlea / blood supply
  • Cochlea / injuries
  • Cochlea / metabolism
  • Free Radicals / metabolism
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / drug therapy*
  • Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / etiology
  • Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / metabolism
  • Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / pathology
  • Humans
  • Ion Channels / metabolism
  • Ischemia / etiology
  • Ischemia / metabolism
  • Magnesium / administration & dosage
  • Magnesium / metabolism
  • Magnesium / therapeutic use*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Oxidative Stress

Substances

  • Free Radicals
  • Ion Channels
  • Magnesium