Protective effect of adenosine triphosphate against hydroxychloroquine ototoxicity in rats

One of the side effects of hydroxychloroquine is ototoxicity. This study examined the effect of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on ototoxicity in rats treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). In this study, 24 rats (male, albino Wistar) were used. The animals were divided into four groups: healthy control group (HG), ATP alone group (ATPG), HCQ alone group (HCQG), and ATP + HCQ (AHQG) group. The ATPG and AHQG groups were injected with ATP intraperitoneally (IP) at a dose of 4 mg/kg/day. The HG and HCQG groups were treated with the same volume of saline as the solvent by IP route. The AHQG group was administered HCQ orally at a dose of 120 mg/kg/day 1 h after the ATP and saline administration. This procedure was repeated daily for 10 days. The rats were euthanized (50 mg/kg thiopental sodium, IP) and after, vestibulocochlear nerve tissues were removed and the tissue oxidant and antioxidant parameters were studied. The tissues were also subjected histopathological examination. ATP significantly (p < 0.001) suppressed the increase in malondialdehyde associated with HCQ in vestibulocochlear nerve tissues as well as the decrease in total glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels. ATP also reduced the severity of oedema, vascular congestion, dilatation, and collagen deposition in degenerated myelinated nerve fibers associated with HCQ. ATP is effective against oxidative damage associated with HCQ in vestibulocochlear nerve tissue. © The Author(s) 2025.