Abstract
The role of homocysteinemia in reduced hearing is mostly through its multipronged effects on the different parts of the cochlea and to some extent due to its neuronal effects on the hearing centre of the brain. It has been demonstrated that a fine balance between the MMPs and their inhibitors, the TIMPs, is required for maintaining normal function of the organ of Corti. Also notable is the fact that it is the hearing of lower frequency sounds (as occurs in age-related hearing loss) that is attenuated by homocysteinemia.
Though homocysteinemia has not been reported to have a causative role in peripheral vestibular dysfunction, combining management of these states with homocysteine-lowering therapy has shown better results.
The role of homocysteinemia in cochlear functions, however, requires further studies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Aydın E, Babakurban ST, Ozgirgin ON, Ozlüoğlu LN. The relationship of homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid levels with vertigo. Kulak Burun Bogaz Ihtis Derg. 2012;22(4):214–8.
Hu BH, Cai Q, Hu Z, Patel M, Bard J, Jamison J, Coling D. Metalloproteinases and their associated genes contribute to the functional integrity and noise-induced damage in the cochlear sensory epithelium. J Neurosci. 2012;32(43):14927–41.
Bhargava S, Pushpakumar S, Metreveli N, Givvimani S, Tyagi SC. MMP-9 gene ablation mitigates hyperhomocystenemia-induced cognition and hearing dysfunction. Mol Biol Rep. 2014;41:4889–98.
Durga J, Verhoef P, Anteunis LJC, Schouten E, Kok JF. Effects of folic acid supplementation on hearing in older adults. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146:1–9.
Gocer C, Genc U, Eryilmaz A, Islam A, Boynuegri S, Bakir F. Homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 concentrations in middle aged adults presenting with sensorineural hearing impairment. Int Adv Otol. 2009;5(3):340–4.
Gopinath B, Flood VM, Rochtchina E, McMahon CM, Mitchell P. Serum homocysteine and folate concentrations are associated with prevalent hearing loss. J Nutr. 2010;140(8):1469–74.
Martinez-Vega R, Garrido F, Partearroyo T, Cediel R, Zeisel SH, Martinez-Alvarez C, Varela-Moreiras G, Varela-Nieto I, Pajares MA. Folic acid deficiency induces premature hearing loss through mechanisms involving cochlear oxidative stress and impairment of homocysteine metabolism. FASEB J. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.14-259283.
Raponi G, Teggi R, Gatti O, Giordano L, Bussi M. Postural control in patients after a recent vestibular neuritis with homocysteinemia. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;65(2):146–50.
Setz C, Brand Y, Radojevic V, Hanusek C, Mullen PJ, Levano S, Listyo A, Bodmer D. Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in the cochlea: expression and activity after aminoglycoside exposition. Neuroscience. 2011;181:28–39.
Thorne PR, Gavin JB, Herdson PB. A quantitative study of the sequence of topographical changes in the organ of Corti following acoustic trauma. Acta Otolaryngol. 1984;97:69–81.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bhargava, S. (2018). Homocysteinemia and Otology. In: The Clinical Application of Homocysteine. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7632-9_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7632-9_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-10-7631-2
Online ISBN: 978-981-10-7632-9
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)