Abstract
Age-related vertigo and balance disorders can lead to falls, fractures, and prolonged confinement to bed. Loss of mobility and/or social interaction may cause cognitive decline and lower quality of life, resulting in significant social and economic burdens. Aging societies urgently need treatments for vestibular decline, as no cures exist, and current therapies only provide symptomatic relief. Oxidative stress contributes to age-related cochlear balance system damage, making antioxidants a potential treatment. Silicon-based agent (Si-agent) is an excellent antioxidant. When reacting with water, this agent produces hydrogen continuously, offering sustained antioxidant effects. Oral Si-agent has alleviated oxidative stress-related diseases in mouse models, such as ulcerative colitis and Parkinson's disease. This study evaluated Si-agent for age-related vestibular decline in mice. In balance beam tests, Si-agents-treated group showed less balance decline with age compared to untreated mice. However, vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) tests measuring semicircular canal and otolith organ function showed no significant differences. In linear VOR, no significant differences were observed at any frequency; however, a significant difference was found in the average slope of linear decline between 0.7 and 0.9 G. Structural damage to the inner ear's semicircular canals and otolith organs was also reduced in Si-agents-treated group. These findings suggest that Si- agent may help treat age-related in balance and motor decline.