The protective effect of piperacillin (PIPC) against ototoxicity induced by aminoglycoside was investigated in guinea pigs. In 13 animals, 0.1 ml (4mg) per day of gentamicin solution was instilled into the left tympanic cavity on day 1 and day 4. The right ears of all animals were untreated. The PIPC treatment group, consisting of 7 animals, received an injection of PIPC solution (300 mg/kg) intramuscularly from day 1 to day 5 while the control group, consisting of 6 animals, did not. Auditory

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... rainstem response (ABR) in these animals was measured on day 1, day 4 and day 6. Significant changes were found in the hearing threshold of right ears in the PIPC treatment and the control groups. The increase in hearing threshold at day 4 and day 6 was significantly smaller in the PIPC treatment group (mean value: 22 dB and 27 dB, respectively) than in the control group (68 dB and 88 dB, respectively). The results of ABR in the present study indicate that PIPC has the potential to reduce aminoglycoside ototoxicity.