EFFECTS OF COMPOUND INJECTION OF PYROLA-ROTUNDIFOLIA L AND ASTRAGALUS-MEMBRANACEUS BGE ON EXPERIMENTAL GUINEA-PIGS GENTAMICIN OTOTOXICITY

In attempting to find drugs effective in preventing and remedying otot oxic injury caused by aminoglycoside antibiotics, we relied on the the ory that the induction of ototoxic injury by aminoglycoside antibiotic s is related to a decrease of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and RNA c ontent in the cochlea or a dysfunction of the kidney. We selected Pyro la rotundifolia L and Astragalus membranaceus Bge from traditional Chi nese herbal medicine, made a compound injection of them, and observed the effect on the pattern of gentamicin ototoxicity in guinea pigs. By electrocochleography and morphology by scanning electron microscopy, the experimental results indicated that the Chinese herbal compound po ssessed the definite effect of protecting the guineapig cochlea. The d etermination of blood urea nitrogen, urinary N-acetyl-D-aminoglucosida se, and urinary protein and observation of renal morphology showed tha t it also protected the kidney against nephrotoxic nephritis of gentam icin. The conjecture that protection of the kidney by the Chinese herb s may be one of the important factors in preventing ototoxicity suppor ts some explanations of ototoxic mechanisms induced by aminoglycoside antibiotics.