Effects of hyperosmolar substances on the endolymphatic sac.
The murine endolymphatic sac (ES) was studied 15 min to 8 hours after intravenous glycerol administration. Initially the ES showed varying degrees of obliteration and this was mostly pronounced at 15-60 min after the injection. After 2 hours the normal volume was regained and after 4 hours the lumen was dilated to 160% of its normal volume. After 6-8 hours the ES had almost regained its normal appearance. The epithelial lining showed an increase in the number of granular cells which, after two hours, reached a peak of 15.8% (p less than 0.01) compared to normal controls which showed 6.1% granular cells of total cell population in the ES. The increase of granular cells was accompanied by filling of the ES lumen with a stainable substance. The epithelial reaction may serve the purpose of counteracting decreases in endolymph pressure either in the ES or in the entire labyrinth.
Rask-Andersen
H
H
Department of Otolaryngology, Akademiska Sjakhuset, Uppsala, Sweden.
Friberg
U
U
Erwall
C
C
Jansson
B
B
D000818:Animals; D004712:Endolymphatic Sac / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D013997:Time Factors; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000187:drug effects*
D005990:Glycerol