Soybean beta-Conglycinin Prevents Age-Related Hearing Impairment

作者：Tanigawa Tohru^*; Shibata Rei; Kondo Kazuhisa; Katahira Nobuyuki; Kambara Takahiro; Inoue Yoko; Nonoyama Hiroshi; Horibe Yuichiro; Ueda Hiromi; Murohara Toyoaki

来源：PLos One, 2015, 10(9): e0137493.

DOI：10.1371/journal.pone.0137493

Obesity-related complications are associated with the development of age-related hearing impairment. beta-Conglycinin (beta-CG), one of the main storage proteins in soy, offers multiple health benefits, including anti-obesity and anti-atherosclerotic effects. Here, to elucidate the potential therapeutic application of beta-CG, we investigated the effect of beta-CG on age-related hearing impairment. Male wild-type mice (age 6 months) were randomly divided into beta-CG-fed and control groups. Six months later, the body weight was significantly lower in beta-CG-fed mice than in the controls. Consumption of beta-CG rescued the hearing impairment observed in control mice. Cochlear blood flow also increased in beta-CG-fed mice, as did the expression of eNOS in the stria vascularis (SV), which protects vasculature. beta-CG consumption also ameliorated oxidative status as assessed by 4-HNE staining. In the SV, lipofuscin granules of marginal cells and vacuolar degeneration of microvascular pericytes were decreased in beta-CG-fed mice, as shown by transmission electron microscopy. beta-CG consumption prevented loss of spiral ganglion cells and reduced the frequencies of lipofuscin granules, nuclear invaginations, and myelin vacuolation. Our observations indicate that beta-CG ameliorates age-related hearing impairment by preserving cochlear blood flow and suppressing oxidative stress.

• 出版日期2015-9-8