Glucocorticoid impact on cochlear function and systemic side effects in autoimmune C3.MRL-Fas^lpr and normal C3H/HeJ mice

Glucocorticoids are effective in reversing hearing loss, but their severe side effects limit long term management of many ear disorders. A clearer understanding of these side effects is critical for prolonged therapeutic control of hearing and vestibular dysfunction. Therefore, this study characterized the impact of the glucocorticoid prednisolone on cochlear dysfunction and systemic organ systems in C3.MRL-Fas^lpr autoimmune mice and their normal C3H/HeJ parent strain. Following 3 months of treatment, autoimmune mice had better auditory thresholds and improved hematocrits, anti-nuclear antibodies, and immune complexes. Steroid treatment also lowered body and spleen weights, both of which rise with systemic autoimmune disease. Steroid treatment of the normal C3H/HeJ mice significantly elevated their blood hematocrits and lowered their body and spleen weights to abnormal levels. Thus, systemic autoimmune disease and its related hearing loss in C3.MRL-Fas^lpr mice are steroid-responsive, but normal hemopoiesis and organ functions can be significantly compromised. This mouse model may be useful for studies of the detrimental side effects of steroid treatments for hearing loss.