Hormonal aspects of Ménière's disease on the basis of clinical and experimental studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Endolymph homeostasis is thought to be mediated by the vasopressin-aquaporin-2 (VP-AQP2) system in the inner ear. Endolymphatic hydrops, the morphological characteristics of Ménière's disease (MD), seems to reflect the malregulation of the VP-AQP2 system in inner ear fluid. The elevation of plasma vasopressin (p-VP) level, which is often observed in MD and its related diseases, might be one of the causative factors underlying these diseases.


OBJECTIVE
Review of the role of the VP-AQP2 system in the inner ear fluid homeostasis and in the formation and development of endolymphatic hydrops.
A clinical survey has revealed that the p-VP level is often elevated in MD and its related diseases and that the increase in the p-VP level was closely linked to vertigo attacks in MD. Experimental studies have revealed that proteins and mRNAs of aquaporin-2 and vasopressin type 2 receptor were expressed in the stria vascularis of the cochlea and the epithelium of the endolymphatic sac, and that the volume of the endolymphatic compartment was mediated by the activity of the VP-AQP2 system in the inner ear.
Takeda
Taizo
T
Department of Otolaryngology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi, Japan. takedat@kochi-u.ac.jp
Takeda
Setsuko
S
Kakigi
Akinobu
A
Okada
Teruhiko
T
Nishioka
Rie
R
Taguchi
Daizo
D
Nishimura
Masahiko
M
Nakatani
Hiroaki
H
D000818:Animals; D065092:Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; D051399:Aquaporin 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000494:pharmacology; D004232:Diuretics / Q000494:pharmacology; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004710:Endolymph / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000494:pharmacology; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000097:blood*; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance
D065092:Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; D051399:Aquaporin 2; D001552:Benzazepines; D004232:Diuretics; D014667:Vasopressins; C076251:mozavaptan; D008094:Lithium