Abstract
An increase in hydrostatic pressure in the endolymphatic system causes hydrops-related inner ear diseases such as Meniere's disease or low tone sensorineural hearing loss. In the present study, we investigated the effects of pressure exerted on potassium currents in acutely isolated inner hair cells of the guinea-pig cochlea using whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques. By applying negative or positive pressure via the patch pipette using a syringe, intracellular hydropressure was changed between -40 cm H2O to +20 cm H2O. Negative pressure potentiated the amplitude of potassium currents, whereas positive pressure suppressed the amplitude of potassium currents. Gadolinium, a blocker of stretch-activated cation channels, did not influence pressure-dependent changes in potassium currents; however, cinnarizine blocked pressure-dependent changes in potassium currents. The current changes were not dependent on the sign of the pressure change, that is, similar increases in negative pressures (between -10 cm H2O and -40 cm H2O) and similar decreases in positive pressures (between +10 cm H2O and +20 cm H2O) were observed.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
