Oxidative stress exerts major role in the pathogenesis of side effects of many
antineoplastic drugs, including
ototoxicity of
cisplatin. In particular, increased levels of
reactive oxygen species (ROS) represent one of the molecular mechanisms underlying the apoptosis of different types of hearing cells.
Antioxidants and ROS scavengers may thus represent potential therapeutic options to prevent
platinum-associated
ototoxicity. The aim of this preliminary case-control study was to explore the efficacy of a dietary
antioxidant supplement, in order to hamper the occurrences of
ototoxicity in patients undergoing
cisplatin chemotherapy. As results, a significant protection against cochlear toxic damage was demonstrated in patients who took the
antioxidant supplement, which furthermore prevented the occurrence of
hearing disorders and
tinnitus. These clinical evidences were corroborated by the oxidative status of patients. After
cisplatin chemotherapy, the plasma derivatives of reactive
oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) content rapidly increased in control patients, but it was maintained in those under dietary supplementation, likely because of a higher anti-ROMs potential. Indeed, an increment in rapid anti-ROMs was detected in supplemented patients, though no differences were highlighted in terms of slow anti-ROMs. In conclusion, in this preliminary report we demonstrated the feasibility of a dietary
antioxidant supplementation in order to prevent the
cisplatin induced hearing damage.