
The study explores a potential preventive approach to radiation-induced otitis media with effusion (RIMOE), a common side effect in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. The researchers investigated whether dexamethasone (DEX) administration before radiation exposure could protect the middle ear and Eustachian tube from radiation damage.
The experimental design involved both animal and cellular studies. In the animal model, rats were divided into three groups: control, radiation-only, and DEX-pretreatment plus radiation. The radiation-only group showed significant damage to middle ear tissues and Eustachian tube structures, while the DEX-pretreated group demonstrated notably less damage. Specifically, measurements at both 1 and 4 months post-radiation showed that DEX pretreatment helped maintain normal middle ear cavity volume and prevented excessive thickening of the Eustachian tube.
The cellular component of the study utilized human middle ear epithelial cells (HMEECs) to understand the underlying mechanisms. When exposed to radiation, these cells showed increased death rates and mitochondrial dysfunction. However, DEX pretreatment significantly improved cell survival and maintained better mitochondrial function. The researchers observed that DEX helped preserve mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced the production of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS).
The study also examined inflammatory markers and found that DEX pretreatment reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in both the animal model and cell cultures. This suggests that DEX’s protective effects work partly through anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
These findings are particularly significant for clinical applications, as they suggest a potential preventive strategy for RIMOE in cancer patients. The research indicates that administering DEX before radiation therapy could help protect ear structures and prevent complications that often impact patients’ quality of life during and after cancer treatment. The dual approach of using both in vivo and in vitro models provides strong evidence for DEX’s protective effects and helps explain the underlying biological mechanisms.