Letícia Regina Kunst

Sistema olivococlear medial e genotoxicidade em escolares de região fumicultora

Purpose: to evaluate the association between the function of the medial olivocochlear system and the biomarkers of genotoxicity in resident students from the tobacco-producing region. Methods: the study group was composed by 21 normal-hearing students from the tobacco-producing region and the control group by 25 normal-hearing students who did not live in the countryside. The medial olivocochlear system was assessed by the of distortion product otoacoustic emissions and genotoxic biomarkers, such as: comet assay, micronucleus test and fluorimetric assay for the quantification of DNA. The data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: by comparing the occurrence of suppression of emissions between the groups, no significant association was detected. Considering the comet assay and the fluorimetric assay for quantitation of DNA, the mean of the study group was considerate significantly higher than the mean of the control group. In the micronucleus test, it was found a significant difference in the sum of abnormal cells and in the frequency of binucleated cells, with the mean of the study group higher than the one found in the control group. And, in relation to the frequency of cells with micronucleus, it showed no significant difference between both groups. No association was found between the occurrence of suppression and the results of genotoxicity biomarkers. Conclusion: the study group had no change in medial olivocochlear system, which was evidenced by the presence of emissions suppression, but it presented injury rates considerate significantly higher in relation to the genotoxic biomarkers. However, there was no association between suppression of emissions and genotoxicity.

Otoacoustic emissions and biomarkers of oxidative stress in students of a tobacco-producing region

PURPOSE To verify the association between the amplitude of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS) in resident students of the tobacco-producing region. METHODS Participated in the study group (SG) 21 normal-hearing students from the tobacco-producing region, and in the control group (CG) 25 normal-hearing students who did not live in the countryside. The auditory system was assessed by DPOAE and the following biomarkers: dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) and micronucleus test (MN). RESULTS Both groups showed DPOAE present in both ears. Significant difference was detected between groups--in the right ear in the frequency of 4.000 Hz and in the left ear in the frequency of 2.000 Hz--with the mean amplitude of the DPOAE of the SG lower than the one found in the CG. Considering both ears, the SG presented lower mean across all frequencies and it was found a significant difference in the frequencies of 2.000 and 4.000 Hz. The overall mean of DPOAE, by ear, no significant differences were observed. In relation to the rate of production of free radicals, the mean of the SG was significantly higher than that of the mean of the CG. For the frequency of abnormal cells in the MN test, the mean of the SG was also considerate significantly higher than the mean of the CG. CONCLUSION The SG showed a lower response level of DPOAE at all frequencies and high levels of biomarkers of EO, however there was no association between assessments.

Função do sistema olivococlear medial em crianças com desvio fonológico

PURPOSE To verify whether children with phonological disorders present alterations in the medial olivocochlear system. METHODS This is a prospective cross-sectional study in which 19 normal hearing children of both genders, with ages between 4 and 7 years, were divided into two groups: 11 children without phonological disorders (control group) and eight with phonological disorders (study group). The auditory condition was verified by visual examination of the external ear canal, pure tone audiometry, and tympanometry. The study included only children with hearing thresholds below or equal to 15 dB, type A tympanometry, and presence of acoustic reflexes. To evaluate the function of the medial olivocochlear system, it was carried out the evaluation of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) with and without contralateral white noise at 60 dBHL. Data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS The occurrence and average values of TEOAE suppression in right and left ears did not present differences in the frequencies of 1, 2, 3 and 4 kHz within groups. In the comparison of the mean and the occurrence of the suppressive effect of TEOAE between control and study groups, there was also no difference in the frequencies analyzed. CONCLUSION Children with phonological disorders do not present alterations in the medial olivocochlear system, as evidenced by the occurrence of the suppressive effect of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions.