Are aminosugars ototoxic?

The ototoxicity of the kanamycin fragment 3-amino-3- deoxy-D-glucose (3-aminoglucose, kanosamine), was investigated by perilymphatic perfusion in the guinea pig. Concentrations of 10 or 28 mM of this compound had no effect on cochlear microphonic potentials (CM), contrasting with previous observations (Owada 1962). Kanamycin at 1 mM decreased CM significantly under otherwise identical conditions. The action of kanamycin was at least partially reversible.