2D Catalytic Niobium Carbide MXenzyme for Ameliorating Noise‐Induced Hearing Loss
Baoying Xu, Qingjun Jiang, Yuqi Huang, Ke Xu, Wei Feng, Dehong Yu, Yu Chen
Abstract
Abstract Noise‐induced hearing loss (NIHL), a prevalent sensory disability affecting a majority of the global population, is dominantly induced by mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, but no effective therapeutic strategy is available. Herein, the potential of a 2D catalytic niobium carbide (Nb 2 C) MXenzyme is investigated as a nanomedicine for treating NIHL by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). The findings reveal that 2D Nb 2 C MXenzyme effectively eliminates free radicals, resulting in a substantial reduction of ROS in House Ear Institute‐Organ of Corti 1 (HEI‐OC1) cells treated with hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). Additionally, the 2D Nb 2 C MXenzyme demonstrates significant protection on hair cells by preventing cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by H 2 O 2 . In vivo experiments further support the efficacy of the 2D Nb 2 C MXenzyme in restoring hearing impairment caused by extensive noise exposure. Specifically, it restores the raised amplitude of Wave I in auditory brainstem response (ABR) records and promotes the recovery of damaged ribbon synapses in inner hair cells. Notably, the therapeutic effect of the 2D Nb 2 C MXenzyme is attributed to its ability to suppress cochlear oxidative stress evidenced by immunohistochemical analysis. This research provides a new approach for treating hearing loss‐related ear diseases by utilizing catalytic biomaterials and nanomedicine with enzyme‐mimicking properties.