ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Huperzine A on auditory function of presbycusis rats induced by Dgalactose through examinations of auditory brainstem response(ABR) and compound action potential(CAP).MethodsPostnatal 34 weeks SD rats were randomly divided into three groups. Rats in the model group were subcutaneously injected with 200 mg·kg-1 Dgalactose daily for 8 weeks, and rats in the treatment group received both Dgalactose (200 mg·kg-1) and Huperzine A (0.1 mg·kg-1) as the same way as the model group. Normal saline of the same volume as that of the model group was applied to the animals of the control group. Auditory sensitivity was evaluated using ABR and cochlear output amplitude was assessed using CAP. CAP was also recorded in response to timestress stimuli (paired clicks with varied stimulus interval, ISI). The cochlear temporal processing ability was reflected by the changes of ratio of CAP2/CAP2(20 ms) to the second click as a function of ISI.ResultsAfter interventions, the thresholds of ABR in all the three groups were insignificant changed (P>0.05). However, compared with the model group, the ABR latencies of wave Ⅲ and I~V interpeak latencies in the treatment group were shortened. Correspondingly, CAP detection via paired click showed that sensitivity of temporal resolution in the treatment group was better than that of the model group, but worse than that of the control group. Meanwhile, the number of senile cells in the inferior colliculus in the treatment group was significantly less than that in the model group.ConclusionsHuperzine A is likely to improve the auditory processing ability related to the speech recognition, which is the experimental support to look for the drug that can ameliorate the auditory function of presbycusis.