Tampa, Fl. — Primary researchers in Italy working with stem cells have shown that hearing loss due to cochlear damage may be repaired by transplantation of human umbilical cord stem cells.  Italian researchers published their findings in the current issue of Cell Transplantation (17:6).

This study was only done on animals as research subjects, but appear to have human applications after further study. The test animals had their hearing permanently damaged by induced by intense noise, chemical toxicity or both. The placebo group of animals that did not receive the stem cell therapy remained with severe hearing loss; cochlear regeneration was only observed in animal groups that received stem cell transplants.

Results also showed that cochlear regeneration was less in the transplanted group deafened by noise rather than chemicals, implying that damage was more severe when induced by noise. Regenerative effects were greater in mice injected with a higher number of stem cells. They also found that regeneration of cochlear tissues improved as time passed.

According to David Eve, PhD, at the University of South Florida Health, and associate editor of Cell Transplantation, the study provides hope for a potential treatment for the repair of hearing impairments, particularly those arising as a consequence of cochlear damage.

SOURCE: Cell Transplantation (17:6), Tampa, FL