Manganese in toenails is associated with hearing loss at high frequencies in humans

Nobutaka Ohgami, Xiang Li, Ichiro Yajima, Reina Oshino, Kyoko Ohgami, Yoko Kato, Nazmul Ahsan, Anwarul Azim Akhand, Masashi Kato

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: Elevated hearing thresholds from high frequencies are known to be one of the hallmarks of age-related hearing loss. Our recent study showed accumulation of manganese (Mn) in inner ears resulting in acceleration of age-related hearing loss in mice orally exposed to Mn. However, there is no evidence showing an association between Mn in non-invasive biological samples and hearing loss in humans evaluated by pure tone audiometry (PTA). In this study, we evaluated Mn in non-invasive biological samples as a possible biomarker for hearing loss in humans. Materials and methods: We determined hearing levels by PTA and Mn levels in toenails, hair and urine with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) in 145 healthy subjects in Bangladesh. Results: Multivariable analyses showed that Mn levels in toenails, but not in hair and urine samples, were significantly associated with hearing loss at 8 kHz and 12 kHz. Moreover, our experimental study showed a significant correlation between Mn levels in inner ears and nails, but not hair, in mice orally exposed to Mn. Conclusions: The results provide novel evidence that Mn in toenails is a possible biomarker for hearing loss at high frequencies in humans.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)533-539
Number of pages7
JournalBiomarkers
Volume23
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18-08-2018
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biochemistry
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Manganese in toenails is associated with hearing loss at high frequencies in humans'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this