Background: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, endothelial progenitor cells, and sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
Methods: The number of endothelial progenitor cells and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 levels collected from peripheral blood samples were measured and compared between sudden sensorineural hearing loss group and control group.
Results: The number of endothelial progenitor cells was reduced in sudden sensorineural hearing loss group compared to control group (38.88 ± 10.73 in sudden sensorineural hearing loss group vs. 77.14 ± 8.56 in control group, P <.01). The lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 level was markedly increased in sudden sensorineural hearing loss group compared to control group (244.94 ± 59.547 in sudden sensorineural hearing loss group vs. 189.00 ± 50.987 in control group, P <.05).
Conclusion: The number of endothelial progenitor cells was decreased and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 levels were increased in sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients. Changes in the number of endothelial progenitor cells and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 levels may be involved in the pathogenesis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.