Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of resveratrol on tympanosclerosis in an experimental rat model by otomicroscopic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examinations, and measurement of malondialdehyde levels.

MATERIALS and METHODS: Twenty albino Wistar rats were used in the study. Four were randomly selected as negative controls, with no treatment or intervention. The ears of 16 rats were inoculated with Streptococcus pneumonia Type 3. They were divided into two Groups: resveratrol, at 20 mg/kg/day dissolved in 10% ethanol, was administered orally to the resveratrol Group for 6 weeks; 10% ethanol was administered to the control Group in the same manner. Blood samples were taken for malondialdehyde measurements after the first and sixth weeks. After otomicroscopic examinations, rats were sacrificed at the end of 6 weeks for histopathological and immunohistochemical (matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9) examinations. Livers of rats were removed for malondialdehyde measurements.

RESULTS: Otomicroscopic and histopathological evaluations revealed no significant difference between the Groups. Plasma malondialdehyde level of the resveratrol Group in the first week was lower than that of the control Group (p<0.05). There was no difference in plasma and liver tissue malondialdehyde levels after 6 weeks. There was a significant difference in staining for matrix metalloproteinase 9 of tympanic membranes between the resveratrol and control Groups (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Resveratrol has potential antioxidant activity and significantly decreases malondialdehyde levels in the first week. It has an inhibitory effect on matrix metalloproteinase 9. However, it appears to be ineffective in the prevention of tympanosclerosis when used alone, according to otomicroscopic and histopathological evaluations.