Glutathione ester protects against hydroxynonenal-induced loss of auditory hair cells

Objective Test the ability of glutathione monoethyl ester (GSHe) to protect auditory hair cells against the ototoxic effects of 4-hydroxy-2,3-nonenal (HNE). Study design and setting Organ of Corti explants were either untreated or treated with one of a series of four concentrations of GSHe for one day, then exposed to HNE. Counts of FITC-phalloidin-labeled hair cells determined both HNE ototoxicity and GSHe otoprotection. Results HNE was toxic to hair cells at physiologically relevant levels, eg, 400 μM, and GSHe provided a significant level of protection against HNE ototoxicity (P Conclusion GSHe protects auditory hair cells from damage and loss initiated by a naturally occurring ototoxic molecule, ie, HNE (a by-product of oxidative stress). Significance Treatment with GSHe may be an effective therapy to protect the cochlea against the adverse effects of traumas (eg, electrode insertion) that generate oxidative stress.