# Increased 25-hydroxycholesterol as an indicator for patients with vestibular neuritis

## TL;DR

This study shows that increased levels of 25-hydroxycholesterol in the blood may help diagnose vestibular neuritis, a common cause of dizziness.

## Contribution

The study identifies 25-hydroxycholesterol as a potential biomarker for diagnosing vestibular neuritis.

## Key findings

- Serum 25-HC levels were significantly higher in patients with vestibular neuritis compared to healthy controls.
- 25-HC was positively correlated with inflammatory markers like CRP and leukocytes in VN patients.
- 25-HC levels could predict the occurrence of vestibular neuritis effectively.

## Abstract

Vestibular neuritis (VN) is one of the most common diseases in vestibular vertigo. 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-HC) was correlated to neuroinflammation, however, whether the level of serum 25-HC could be used to diagnose the VN occurrence remains unclear.

The enrolled patients were divided into VN and healthy control groups. Afterwards, the potential risk factors were assessed in these two groups. Subsequently, the complete blood count was performed upon hospital admission.

The serum 25-HC and C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected in two groups using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and a high-sensitive immunonephelometric assay. Moreover, the correlation of 25-HC to inflammatory factors was analyzed. Finally, the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to predict the diagnosis effect of 25-HC in VN occurrence. The age, gender, BMI, living habits, disease history, and cholesterol did not affect the VN occurrence. However, 25-HC was dramatically increased in VN patients, meanwhile, peripheral blood leukocyte and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were also elevated in VN patients. Importantly, 25-HC was positively correlated to CRP and leukocytes. Additionally, the level of serum 25-HC could be used to predict the VN occurrence.

Serum 25-HC may diagnose the occurrence of VN.