Hyaluronic Acid Conjugated with Antioxidants for Treatment of Cmv-Induced Hearing Loss

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading nongenetic cause of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children in the United States. Current antiviral treatments exist, however with only modest short-term improvements and uncertain long-term outcome as well as reports of complications. Because CMV causes SNHL through inflammation and oxidation of the inner ear, an anti-inflammatory compound such as hyaluronic acid (HA) can be modified and combined with an antioxidant compound like D-methionine as a potential treatment. Preliminary results indicate successful synthesis of the compound CMHA+Dmethionine as well as demonstrated cytocompatibility. Upcoming procedures will include testing the combined anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of the novel compound CMHA+Dmethionine and investigating its potential to act as an effective treatment for CMV SNHL.