The effect of changes in perilymphatic K+ on the vestibular evoked potential in the guinea pig

To investigate the effect on the functioning of the vestibular system of a rupture of Reissner’s membrane, artificial endolymph was injected in scala media of ten guinea pigs and vestibular evoked potentials (VsEPs), evoked by vertical acceleration pulses, were measured. Directly after injection of a sufficient volume to cause rupture, all ears showed a complete disappearance of VsEP, followed by partial recovery. To investigate the effect of perilymphatic potassium concentration on the vestibular sensory and neural structures, different concentrations of KCl were injected directly into the vestibule. The KCl injections resulted in a dose-dependent decrease of VsEP, followed by a dose-dependent slow recovery. This animal model clearly shows a disturbing effect of a higher than normal K+ concentration in perilymph on the vestibular and neural structures in the inner ear. Potassium intoxication is the most probable explanation for the observed effects. It is one of the explanations for Menière attacks

The vestibular evoked response to linear, alternating, acceleration pulses without acoustic masking as a parameter of vestibular function

In this study, short latency vestibular evoked potentials (VsEPs) were recorded in five guinea pigs in response to alternating linear acceleration pulses with and without acoustic masking. A steel bolt was implanted in the skull and coupled to a shaker. Linear acceleration pulses (n = 400) in upward, downward or alternating directions were given, with a peak acceleration of 4g after 0.5 msec. Tests were repeated with acoustic masking, after modiolus destruction and after application of KCl in the vestibule. Stimuli of the vestibular nerve were recorded with a platinum electrode in the bony facial nerve canal in the bulla. Unilateral linear acceleration showed a shallow plateau at 0.5 msec, which disappeared with alternating acceleration impulses and after modiolus destruction. Therefore all further tests were done with alternating impulses. After a latency time of 0.8 msec a multiwave response was seen, with a first positive peak P1 at 1.16 ms. These were followed by other positive and negative peaks (N1, P2, N2, P3, N3). With the elimination of cochlear influences by using acoustic masking, P1 remained stable, while subsequent peaks were altered or eliminated. After modiolus destruction, the P1 peak remained, although with a smaller amplitude due to vestibular damage. After application of a saturated KCl solution in the vestibule all responses, including P1, disappeared, thus confirming the vestibular origin of these responses. We conclude that the onset latency of the VsEP and the peak latency and level of the first positive peak P1 in response to alternating linear acceleration pulses without acoustic masking, measured in the facial canal, are good and stable parameters of vestibular function in guinea pigs

The glycocalyx and stereociliary interconnections of the vestibular sensory epithelia of the guinea pig - A freeze-fracture, low-voltage cryo-SEM, SEM and TEM study

In this study freeze fracture, low-voltage cryo-SEM, SEM and TEM were used to characterise the glycocalyx and stereociliary interconnections in the hair cell bundle of the vestibular sensory epithelia of the guinea pig. The glycocalyx resembles a shell-like structure separately surrounding each stereocilium and kinocilium over its entire length. The lateral interciliary connections emerge from the glycocalyx layer, forming an extensive extracellular network maintaining the stereocilia as a bundle. These connections are morphologically similar to the glycocalyx, and grossly oriented in the same direction, indicative of a role in the mechanical transduction system. The matrix material around the glycocalyx also appears to be morphologically similar to the glycocalyx, suggesting the glycocalyx to be even more important in the mechanical transduction system. The tip-links are covered with a layer, which is a continuation of the glycocalyx covering the stereocilia. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

Functional and anatomic alterations in the gentamicin-damaged vestibular system in the guinea pig

Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to investigate the expected functional and morphologic effect of gentamicin on the vestibular system simultaneously by measurement of vestibular evoked potentials and electron microscopic evaluation. Background: Vestibular short-latency evoked potentials to linear acceleration have been shown to be a useful parameter of vestibular function. In gentamicin-treated animals, the morphologic damage has been well documented, although this has seldom been quantified. Methods: Fifteen Guinea pigs were divided into three equal groups. Two groups received different dosages of intramuscular gentamicin for 3 weeks; the third group was the control Group. Vestibular short-latency evoked potentials to linear acceleration pulses were measured. After the last gentamicin dose, the utricles were prepared for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. On scanning electron microscopy photographs, the surface area damage ratio of the utricles, a simple method of quantifying gross morphologic damage, was calculated. Results: The vestibular short-latency evoked potential of gentamicin-treated guinea pigs showed a slow-developing, damaging, dose-response effect on them function of the vestibular system (p = 0.01). Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed severe morphologic damage in the sensory hair cells of the utricle. The surface area damage ratio showed a dose-response relationship (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Functional and anatomic alterations in the gentamicin-damaged vestibular system in the guinea pig are related

Gentamicin Applied to the Oval Window Suppresses Vestibular Function in Guinea Pigs

Intratympanic gentamicin therapy is widely used clinically to treat the debilitating symptoms of Ménière’s disease. Cochleotoxicity is an undesirable potential side effect of the treatment and the risk of hearing loss increases proportionately with gentamicin concentration in the cochlea. It has recently been shown that gentamicin is readily absorbed through the oval window in guinea pigs. The present study uses quantitative functional measures of vestibular and cochlea function to investigate the efficacy of treating the vestibule by applying a small volume of gentamicin onto the stapes footplate in guinea pigs. Vestibular and cochlea function were assessed by recording short latency vestibular evoked potentials in response to linear head acceleration and changes in hearing threshold, respectively, 1 and 2 weeks following treatment. Histopathology was analyzed in the crista ampullaris of the posterior semi-circular canal and utricular macula in the vestibule, and in the basal and second turns of the cochlea. In animals receiving gentamicin on the stapes footplate, vestibular responses were significantly suppressed by 72.7 % 2 weeks after treatment with no significant loss of hearing. This suggests that the vestibule can be treated directly by applying gentamicin onto the stapes footplate