Ménière's Disease
Ménière's disease (MD) is a complex and debilitating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness. Our company is at the forefront of Ménière's disease drug and therapeutic development, providing a comprehensive range of services including animal model development and preclinical studies.
Introduction to Ménière's Disease
Ménière's disease (MD) is a chronic condition that affects the inner ear and disrupts its normal functioning. The pathogenesis of Ménière's disease involves a disturbance in the delicate balance of fluid regulation and ion homeostasis in the inner ear. Endolymphatic hydrops, characterized by an excessive accumulation of fluid in the endolymphatic spaces, are considered a key feature of Ménière's disease. This abnormal fluid buildup disrupts the normal functioning of the vestibular and auditory systems, leading to the characteristic symptoms of Ménière's disease.
Recent research has also implicated immune-mediated mechanisms in the development of Ménière's disease. Autoimmune reactions targeting the inner ear structures, such as the vestibular end organs and the cochlea, have been observed in some cases. Additionally, the involvement of inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, and vascular dysfunction further contribute to the pathogenesis of Ménière's disease.
Fig.1 Therapeutics in Ménière's disease. (Iwasaki S., et al., 2021)
Therapy Discovery and Development for Ménière's Disease
Pharmacological interventions aim to alleviate symptoms, reduce the frequency and severity of vertigo attacks, and preserve vestibular and auditory functions. Betahistine, a histamine H3 receptor antagonist, has shown efficacy in increasing cochlear blood flow, modulating histamine turnover, and reducing vestibular input. Moreover, diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide and acetazolamide, have been traditionally used to reduce endolymphatic fluid volume and pressure. However, the evidence supporting their efficacy in relieving Ménière's disease symptoms is limited.
Our company is actively involved in the development and testing of novel drugs targeting the underlying mechanisms of Ménière's disease. For detailed information about our comprehensive therapy development services, we invite you to click on the link provided below.
Our Services
Our company is committed to advancing diagnostics and therapy development in the field of Ménière's disease. We offer a comprehensive range of services aimed at accelerating the discovery and development of innovative therapies for Ménière's disease. To better understand the pathogenesis of MD and evaluate the efficacy of potential therapies, our company specializes in developing robust animal models and in vitro models. These models allow us to study the underlying mechanisms of MD, test novel drug candidates, and assess their safety and effectiveness.
Surgical Animal Models
One commonly used surgical model involves the ablation or removal of specific structures within the inner ear to induce endolymphatic hydrops (ELH), a hallmark of MD. This can be achieved by surgically disrupting the endolymphatic sac (ES) or blocking the endolymphatic duct.
Drug Induced Animal Models
In drug induced models, substances such as vasopressin (VP), aldosterone, cholera toxin, or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are administered to animals to induce ELH, inflammation, or immune responses in the inner ear, leading to the characteristic symptoms of the disease.
Genetic Engineering Animal Models
Our company excels in providing state-of-the-art genetic engineering model development services. The PHEX murine model (Hyp-Duk/Y) with a non-functional phosphate-regulating gene has been shown to exhibit spontaneous, progressive hearing loss and vestibular impairment similar to MD.
In Vitro Models
Primary inner ear cells can be isolated from rodents or other relevant animal models and cultured using specialized techniques. Additionally, inner ear organoids can be developed by differentiating stem cells into various cell types found in the inner ear, including hair cells, supporting cells, and neurons.
We conduct in-depth studies to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicity of potential drug candidates. Beyond the aforementioned repertoire of services and models, our expertise extends to crafting personalized solutions and designing disease models that impeccably align with your unique needs. If our comprehensive range of offerings has piqued your interest, we wholeheartedly encourage you to connect with us without any hesitation.
References
- Iwasaki Shinichi, et al. "Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for Meniere's disease of the Japan Society for Equilibrium Research." Auris Nasus Larynx 48.1 (2021): 15-22.
- Liu Yupeng, Jun Yang, and Maoli Duan. "Current status on researches of Meniere's disease: a review." Acta oto-laryngologica 140.10 (2020): 808-812.