[Effect of melatonin on expression of Prestin protein in the inner ear of mice following radiotherapy].

Objective: To investigate the effect of melatonin on the expression of prestin protein in the inner ear of mice following a single dose radiation therapy, so as to provide the basis for the mechanism study of radiation induced inner ear injury and its prevention. Methods: Sixty 4-week-old male mice were randomly divided into six groups, including the control group (A group), 50 mg/kg MLT group (B group), 5 mg/kg MLT group (C group), 50 mg/kg MLT + radiotherapy group (D group), 5 mg/kg MLT+ radiotherapy group (E group), and 16 Gy radiotherapy group (F group). Each experimental group was randomly subdivided into two subgroups, which were killed to harvest the cochlea on the 3rd and 7th days following 16 Gy radiation. The specimens were used for immunostaining and Western blot to detect the expression of prestin protein. SPSS 19.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Prestin protein mainly distributed in the lateral membrane above the outer hair cell nucleus. When compared with A, B and C group, the expression of prestin protein in the inner ear was significantly up-regulated in F group ( P <0.05). However, D and E group reduced the abnormal expression of prestin following radiotherapy when compared with F group, the difference was statistically significant ( P <0.05), and the effect of D group was more significant than E group ( P <0.05). Conclusions: The prestin protein of cochlea is mainly distributed in the lateral membrane above the outer hair cell nucleus. Following the high-dose radiotherapy, the prestin expression is upregulated, and melatonin can control the abnormal expression of prestin protein induced by radiotherapy with dose dependent.