IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α as well as their receptors were significantly increased in the spiral ganglion of ototoxic rats as compared with sham control animals (P<0.05, ototoxic rats vs. control rats).
ELISA was used to examine the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (PICs including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the dorsal root ganglion (DGR); and Western blot analysis was used to examine expression of mTOR signal pathway.