| Abstrakt: |
A recent study conducted by researchers at Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore has explored the effects of benzene derivatives on the auditory system. The study found that oxidative stress and inflammation are the main mechanisms of damage in the auditory system, leading to functional alterations and hearing loss. Glial cells, specifically microglia and astrocytes, play a crucial role in mediating this damage. The researchers investigated the response of glial cells to toxic injury in the cochlea and auditory cortex of rats exposed to styrene, a volatile compound known for its oto/neurotoxic properties. They found that styrene exposure increased oxidative stress, activated glial cells, and caused dysregulation of gap junction proteins, which are involved in the microglia/astrocyte network. The study suggests that targeting glial cells and connexin/pannexin expression could be beneficial in reducing oxidative/inflammatory damage in the auditory system. [Extracted from the article] |
