Drugs for hyperlipidaemia may slow down the progression of hearing loss in the elderly: A drug repurposing study

Abstract

Hearing loss in the elderly causes communication difficulties, decreased quality of life, isolation, loneliness and frustration. The aim of this study was to identify the modifiable variables that may affect the progression of hearing loss in the elderly.A case-control study was conducted using two data sets. Data were extracted from the health examination survey of Ajou University Hospital (2010-2014) and the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009-2012) data sets.Audiometry data were evaluated according to variables such as age, sex and drug use for underlying diseases. Logistic regression analysis was performed on the entire study population, and middle-aged and elderly groups using odds ratios (ORs). Factors including older age, female gender and diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with hearing levels in all age groups (OR [95% confidence interval, 95% CI], 0.375 [0.388-0.415], 1.202 [1.195-1.208], and 1.427 [1.183-1.721], respectively). However, when the results from the middle-aged and elderly groups were compared, medication for hyperlipidaemia had a significantly positive effect on the preservation of hearing in the elderly group (OR [95% CI], 0.713 [0.567-0.897]), but not in the middle-aged group (OR [95% CI], 0.967 [0.791-1.183]). People, especially those in the elderly group, exposed to medication for hyperlipidaemia are likely to have better hearing than those not exposed to such drugs. Thus, drugs prescribed for hyperlipidaemia may maintain hearing in the elderly. However, to overcome potential confounding-by unmeasured variables -that is present in this study, further studies must be performed with more elaborate research design and methodology. K E Y W O R D Sdrug repurposing, hearing loss, hearing loss in elderly, hyperlipidemia

Near-physiological-temperature serial crystallography reveals conformations of SARS-CoV-2 main protease active site for improved drug repurposing

“…In particular, cross-sectional studies which require a large data pool, would benefit, as repurposed molecules have well-defined profiles and would not require prolonged pre-clinical studies. Hence, these molecules could be potential candidates to consider in the case of disease emergencies or outbreaks ( Su and Sanger, 2017 ; Cavalla, 2013 ; Choo et al., 2019 ; Aguila and Cua, 2020 ). Considering all of this, adopting a drug-repurposing approach and using the known inhibitors Ebselen, Tideglusib, and Carmofur to carry out Mpro-based in silico molecular docking, MD simulations and post-MD analyses make our hybrid approach more specific for subsequent future studies.…”

Association between Statin Use and Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Hospital-Based Study

“…The protective effects of statins against SNHL or tinnitus were found regardless of age and sex. According to a previous study of Koreans [18], medications for dyslipidemia such as statins significantly reduced the incidence of hearing loss in elderly patients aged 60 years and older, but not in those aged under 60 years. Unlike in the previous study, the protective effect of statins against hearing loss was maintained for patients aged 65 years and older as well as those under 65 years.…”

“…Statins are widely used as cholesterol-lowering agents through competitive 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibition. Due to the strong evidence for statins as a treatment option for dyslipidemia, they have emerged as protective agents of hearing associated with dyslipidemia [17,18]. Several studies, however, showed that statins may cause hearing impairment [19,20].…”

Near-Physiological-Temperature Serial Femtosecond X-ray Crystallography Reveals Novel Conformations of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Active Site for Improved Drug Repurposing

“…Also, knowing the beneficial and detrimental effects of targeted drugs, along with well-established precautions will help with time limitations. This procedure has emerged as a fundamental and very strategic approach not only for prospective cohort design but also for many types of clinical trials, particularly crosssectional studies because as the molecules considered in repurposing studies passed through several stages, have well-defined profiles, they would not require prolonged pre-clinical studies, and hence they are important candidates to consider in case of disease emergencies or outbreaks (Su et al, 2017; Cavalla et al, 2013; Choo et al, 2019; Aguila et al, 2020). Therefore, enormous contribution to clinical studies, repurposing is a rapid step towards the conclusion of not only randomized controlled trials but also critical structural biology investigations (Bumb et al, 2015; Pihan et al, 2012; Choudhary et al, 2020).…”