Further Observations on Anaphylatoxin Activity in the Cochlear Organ of Guinea Pigs

Abstract

Complement is known to be related to many inflammatory reactions, and C4a, C3a and C5a, known as anaphylatoxins, cause strong inflammatory reaction although they are unrelated to anaphylaxis caused by immunoglobulin E.We made anaphylatoxins from guinea pig serum plus zymosan. Anaphylatoxins were inoculated into the carotid artery. We have already reported that the stria vascularis (S.V.) in the various cochlear turns, except the cochlear basal turns, was extremely atrophied after 72 hours.In this study, anaphylatoxins were inoculated into the carotid artery and after 7, 10 and 15 days, the S.V. was examined. It was extremely atrophied, similar to its appearance after 3 days. After 7 days, atrophy was observed in the third turn in 5 out of 12 S.V. (42%), in the fourth turn in 12 out of 12 S.V. (100%) and in the apical turn in 3 out of 3 S.V. (100%). After 10 days, atrophy was observed in the third turn in 2 out of 12 S.V. (17%), in the fourth turn in 9 out of 12 S.V. (75%) and in the apical turn in 3 out of 3 S.V. (100%). After 15 days, atrophy was observed in the third turn in 2 out of 12 S.V. (17%), in the fourth turn in 6 out of 12 S.V. (50%), and in the apical turn in 2 out of S.V. (67%).Thus atrophy in the S.V. due to anaphylatoxin improved with time.