[The effect of gap blocker 1-heptanol on function and morphology of guinea pig cochlea].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of gap junctions in hearing function of guinea pig in vivo.


METHODS
Seven guinea pigs were inoculated with 1-heptanol into perilymphatic space after a small hole was drilled in the bony wall near tympanic scala of the base turn. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was recorded before, 30 min, 60 min, 90 min 120 min after operation. Two hours after surgery, all the animals were killed and the ultrastructure of guinea cochlea was observed by making electron microscopy specimens.


RESULTS
The application of 1-heptanol into guinea pig cochlea resulted in large increase in ABR threshold, which showed 30 to 40 dB elevation in guinea pig. And 1-heptanol could destroy the gap conjunction structure between hair cells and Deiter's cells in guinea cochlea.


CONCLUSIONS
The gap blocker 1-heptanol might significantly influence the guinea pig's hearing function, and the gap conjunction might play an important role in normal cochlear function and K+ recycle in inner ear of guinea pig.
Wang
Peng
P
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
Gong
Shusheng
S
Song
Peng
P
Huang
Xiang
X
D000818:Animals; D003051:Cochlea / Q000187:drug effects*; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000187:drug effects; D054351:Electrical Synapses / Q000187:drug effects*; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D019850:Heptanol / Q000494:pharmacology*
D019850:Heptanol