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Background and Objectives:Aminoglycosides, a commonly used antibiotic agent, destroys the sensory hair cells in the cochlearand vestibular system leading to irreversible hearing loss and balance problem. Minocycline, a second-generation tetracyclineantibiotic, has been known to possess anti-apoptotic properties in addition to its antimicrobial action. We hypothesized thatminocycline would attenuate aminoglycosides induced vestibulotoxicity in rat utricles. Subjects and Method:Utricular maculaeprepared from postnatal day 3-4 rats were treated with neomycin alone or in combination with minocycline. For hair cell count,utricles were stained with phalloidin- FITC. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed using the fluorescent probe, hydrofluorescentdiacetate acetyl ester (H2DCFDA). Caspase-3 activity was also examined using the fluorescent caspase-3 substrate.Results:Neomycin induced dose-dependent loss of utricular hair cells. Minocycline reduced ROS production and caspase-3activation in neomycin treated utricular hair cells. Conclusion:Minocycline has protective effect in neomycin induced ototoxicityin rat utricle by inhibiting ROS production and caspase-3 activity. (Korean J Otolaryngol 2006;49:1159-64)