CFTR Potentiator Ivacaftor Protects Against Noise-Induced Hair Cell Loss by Increasing Nrf2 and Reducing Oxidative Stress

The study demonstrates that ivacaftor, a CFTR potentiator, protects against noise-induced hair cell loss and hearing loss by increasing Nrf2 expression and reducing oxidative stress. Using in-vivo FVB/NJ mice and in-vitro HEI-OC1 cell models, ivacaftor was shown to significantly reduce oxidative stress markers and preserve hair cell function. The protective effects of ivacaftor were found to be Nrf2-dependent, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for noise-induced hearing loss. The research was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the National Institutes of Health, USA.