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Biomedical subjects

T Morizono

Publications and source records attributed to T Morizono.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Otic preparations altered permeability and thickness of the round window membrane of the chinchilla.

The effects of topical otic preparations (Cortisporin, Coly-Mycin, Aristocort, and Bestron) upon the permeability of the round window membrane (RWM) in chinchillas were investigated. Using K(+)-selective microelectrodes, the concentration of tetraethylammonium (TEA) ions was measured. Changes in the thickness of the RWM were measured using light microscopy. The RWM permeability was reduced significantly in Cortisporin- and Coly-Mycin-treated ears. Moreover, these two drugs resulted in a marked thickening of the RWM. In contrast, Aristocort or Bestron resulted in no alteration of the RWM permeability.

Animals↗

Pathophysiology of inner ear fluid imbalance.

Maintenance of homeostasis of inner ear fluids and biochemical integrity of inner ear tissue are essential for proper functioning of the auditory and vestibular end organs. Although various regulatory mechanisms exist in a different portion of the labyrinth, the inner ear is known to respond to systemic challenges. The association of Meniere's syndrome with an imbalance of inner ear fluid homeostasis has been hypothesized for the past century. Among many factors, the effects of hormonal imbalance on inner ear fluid composition and inner ear function have however scarcely been studied. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and inner ear function and possible mechanisms of functional disturbances in an experimental condition. An infusion of supraphysiologic amounts of epinephrine, a stress related hormone, resulted in an elevation of osmolality in serum and perilymph. Furthermore, the infusion of epinephrine resulted in elevation of threshold, prolongation of latency, and depression of amplitude in the compound action potential of the auditory nerve. These findings were most marked at high frequencies. We hypothesized that the epinephrine-induced hearing loss was brought about by an increase in perilymphatic osmolality, as well as by the ionic imbalance caused by the osmotic gradient. Since emotional stress has been implicated as a mechanism of inducing a Meniere's attack, evaluation of the relationship between the autonomic system and cochlear function may contribute to the understanding of possible mechanisms of inner ear dysfunction caused by hormonal imbalances.

Animals↗

[Influence of neck vibration on body sway].

To investigate the influence of the cervical input to the equilibrium, the effect of neck vibratory stimulation on body sway was analyzed in 49 normal human subjects. Body perturbations during standing posture were recorded by a force platform with or without vibratory stimulus on the upper cervical region, and analyzed by computer. During the neck vibratory stimulation, the center of gravity was shifted to the forward, and the amplitude of the body sway was increased especially along the front-rear axis. These results indicate that the proprioceptive inputs from the cervical receptors largely modifies the body equilibrium in normal subjects.

Adult↗

Cochleotoxicity of otic drops in the chinchilla: comparative study of Bestron and Cortisporin.

Bestron, a new otic preparation containing cefmenoxime, was applied to the round window membrane of the chinchilla and the long-term cochleotoxicity was evaluated by means of electrocochleography. The thresholds of the compound action potential (CAP) in all frequency areas tested ranged within normal values. The input-output and -latency relationships of the CAP resulted in no significant deterioration of hearing. However, identical treatment with Cortisporin resulted in elevated CAP threshold in the high frequency area and deterioration of the input-output and -latency of the CAP. These findings indicate that Bestron is noncochleotoxic as compared with Cortisporin and therefore may be used safely in the treatment of infected ears.

Animals↗

Middle ear inflammatory mediators and cochlear function.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been documented in patients with otitis media. Despite a number of clinical and pathologic works dealing with this common problem, animal studies searching for possible relationships between the middle ear inflammation and cochlear function remain insufficient. Bacterial inoculation and ototoxins and inflammatory products in the middle ear cavity cause SNHL in rodents. Human serum albumin placed in the middle ear cavity in chinchillas also produces SNHL, owing to the effects of nonspecific inflammation in the middle ear cavity. Most of the middle ear inflammatory mediators enter the inner ear through the round window route, and alteration of the permeability of the round window membrane plays an important role in causing cochlear dysfunction. Although an immunologic response in the middle ear plays an important role in otitis media, the immunologic response in the inner ear as it relates to middle ear inflammatory mediators requires further study.

Animals↗

Permeability of the round window membrane to middle-sized molecules in purulent otitis media.

The effect of pneumococcal otitis media on the permeability of the round window membrane was evaluated using tetraethylammonium ions as a tracer. Round window membrane permeability is reduced significantly at resolved stages of purulent otitis media. In contrast, measurements of round window membrane permeability indicate that acute purulent otitis media has a tendency to facilitate such permeability. Moreover, histologic observations of the round window membrane following bacterial inoculation further support the evidence of functional changes in round window membrane permeability. These findings indicate that the round window membrane in resolved stages of purulent otitis media plays a protective role in preventing the penetration of harmful substances into the inner ear.

Animals↗

Eye movement analysis system using computerized image recognition.

A new technique for an eye movement analysis system utilizing infrared video recording and a computerized image recognition method is presented. The system consists of an infrared lighting apparatus, a very small infrared video charge-coupled device camera, a video tape recorder, an analogue-digital converter, and microcomputers. This system makes it possible to simultaneously analyze the slow-phase velocity quantitatively not only of the horizontal and vertical but also of the rotatory components of the energy-induced nystagmus. The maximum slow-phase velocity of the rotatory component of energy-induced nystagmus was found to be 4.1 degrees per second on an average in this study.

Adult↗

Effect of Escherichia coli endotoxin on cochlear potentials following its application to the chinchilla middle ear.

The compound action potential (CAP) of the eighth nerve and the endocochlear potential (EP) were examined in the chinchilla as an animal model when Escherichia coli endotoxin (100 micrograms) was applied to the middle ear cavity. A significant elevation of the CAP threshold at 2, 3, and 4 kHz was observed 48 h after the instillation of endotoxin, but this hearing loss was thought to be caused by a conductive component. No significant change in the CAP threshold was recognized 30 days after instillation. The EP in either period showed no significant difference. These findings indicate that the application of endotoxin at the concentration used in the present study does not cause a cochlear disturbance.

Action Potentials↗

Electrochemical aspects of cations in the cochlear hair cell of the chinchilla: a cellular model of the ion movement.

The dc potential and ion composition (K+, Na+, and Ca++) in the hair cells of the cochlea were examined using ion-selective microelectrodes. The K+, Na+, and Ca++ concentrations were 124.0 +/- 29.8 mM, 6.9 +/- 4.1 mM, and 1.7 +/- 1.4 microM in the hair cells, respectively. The electrochemical potential gradients for K+, Na+, and Ca++ across the apical membranes of the hair cells were calculated to be 160.0 +/- 29.8 mV, 87.6 +/- 27.0 mV, and 194.4 +/- 35.2 mV, respectively. Those for K+, Na+, and Ca++ across the basolateral membranes of the hair cells were -12.6 +/- 33.3 mV, 126.8 +/- 28.3 mV, and 170.8 +/- 30.1 mV, respectively. These findings were discussed in light of the transport mechanism necessary to maintain the ionic composition of hair cells.

Animals↗

Toxicity of ototopical drugs: animal modeling.

It is important to be aware of the potential ototoxicity of any drug, vehicle, or antiseptic that is used in the middle ear. Frequently used ear drops (Cortisporin otic suspension, Coly-Mycin S Otic, and VoSoL otic solution) were studied for their ototoxicity. Compound action potentials were measured before and at 1, 2, and 24 hours following drug application on the round window membranes of chinchillas. Each drug was applied for 10 minutes and then was removed by rinsing. The sound pressure in decibels sound pressure level that produced a compound action potential amplitude of 10 microV was defined as the threshold. The change in threshold was interpreted as hearing loss. On the basis of the short-term results at 24 hours following drug application, the ototoxicity of Coly-Mycin was calculated to be twice that of Cortisporin, and the ototoxicity of VoSoL four times that of Cortisporin.

Acetates↗

Round window membrane permeability during experimental purulent otitis media: altered Cortisporin ototoxicity.

Round window membrane (RWM) permeability is the most critical factor influencing cochlear function following otitis media. Because otic drops are frequently used during purulent otitis media (POM), we investigated RWM permeability and ototoxicity of Cortisporin otic suspension after inducing experimental POM. Unilateral POM was induced in eight chinchillas by inoculating type 7F Streptococcus pneumoniae into the right ears. Left ears were inoculated with phosphate-buffered saline (control). When POM resolved, the animals were divided into two groups. The round window niches of group 1 were covered with Cortisporin otic suspension. Compound action potentials were measured before and after drug application. The RWM permeability was measured in group 2 by use of tetraethylammonium (TEA) ions as tracers, and the arrival time of TEA and the slope of the potassium-selective microelectrode response were measured. Animals with otitis media exhibited less susceptibility to ototoxicity of Cortisporin otic suspension and reduced RWM permeability to the medium-sized molecule TEA.

Animals↗

Electrochemical profile for calcium ions in the stria vascularis: cellular model of calcium transport mechanism.

The d.c. potential and the Ca2+ concentration in the stria vascularis of the chincilla were measured using double-barreled Ca2+-selective microelectrodes with fine tips. The impalement of the microelectrode through the stria vascularis indicated two or three regions showing low Ca2+ concentrations. The first region with a low Ca2+ concentration, presumably corresponding to the basal cell, showed a Ca2+ concentration of 2.5 +/- 1.9 microM. The low Ca2+ region, adjacent to the endolymph, showed 0.31 +/- 0.15 microM and presumably corresponds to the marginal cell. In contrast, the Ca2+ concentrations in the spiral ligament, intrastrial space and endolymph were 1.6 +/- 0.2 mM, 0.75 +/- 0.12 mM, and 17 +/- 7 microM, respectively. Based upon the electrochemical profile for Ca2+ ions, we hypothesize mechanisms of cellular Ca2+ transport where Ca2+ ions from perilymph are accumulated into endolymph via the action of Ca2+-ATPase located in apical membranes of both the basal and marginal cells.

Animals↗

Electrochemical profiles for monovalent ions in the stria vascularis: cellular model of ion transport mechanisms.

The electrochemical profiles for K+, Na+, and Cl- ions in tissues of the lateral wall of the cochlea in the chinchilla were measured using an ion-selective microelectrode. Based upon the changes of the d.c. resting potential and ion composition, five distinct compartments were identified in the lateral wall. The first compartment, corresponding to the spiral ligament, showed an ionic composition similar to perilymph. The second, corresponding to the basal cell layer of the stria vascularis, showed a characteristic recording of the ion-sensitive barrel: a spike-like change of the ion concentration (K+: 100.1 +/- 16.8 mM, Na+: 33.9 +/- 20.2 mM, Cl-: 70.2 +/- 9.4 mM). The third compartment, corresponding to the extracellular space of the stria vascularis, showed a higher d.c. potential (60.4 +/- 9.5 mV) than that of the second region, with a low K+ concentration (22.1 +/- 14.9 mM) and a high Na+ (78.3 +/- 5.7 mV) than the fifth compartment, corresponding to the scala media (78.1 +/- 4.1 mV), and K+ and Na+ concentrations similar to those of endolymph, while the Cl- concentration in the fourth compartment (117.6 +/- 21.5 mM) was lower than that of endolymph (143.3 +/- 13.9 mM). A thermodynamic study of electrochemical potential gradients suggests the possibility that the Na-K pump and Na-K-2Cl cotransport exist at the basolateral membrane of the marginal cells.

Animals↗

Effect of albumin-bound furosemide on the endocochlear potential of the chinchilla. Alleviation of furosemide-induced ototoxicity.

The effects of albumin-unbound furosemide and albumin-bound furosemide on the cochlear function were compared by the continuous observation of the endocochlear potential (EP) in the chinchilla using the microelectrode method. The EP depression following the intravenous injection of 50 mg/kg of furosemide was 108.5 +/- 2.7 mV, while the addition of 1.0 and 1.3 g/kg of albumin induced the EP depression to be 35.0 +/- 4.8 and 8.1 +/- 1.9 mV, respectively, and both prolonged the time to attain the minimum EP. However, there was no difference in the recovery time of the EP between the two groups. The results indicate that access to the site of furosemide action in the cochlea is dependent on the unbound fraction of furosemide and that the albumin-bound furosemide alleviates the EP depression induced by furosemide alone with the augmentation of diuresis.

Animals↗

Proteases and protease inhibitors in immune complex otitis media in chinchillas.

Using an immune complex-induced (IC) otitis media model in chinchillas sensitized with human serum albumin (HSA), we measured the levels of protease activity, protease inhibitors, and HSA in the middle ear fluid (MEF). The effect of a corticosteroid agent (triamcinolone) on the degree of IC otitis media also was studied. The levels of protease inhibitors alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 2-macroglobulin in the MEF were significantly higher than in nonsensitized animals. Fibrinolytic (plasminogen activator [PA]) activity was detected in the MEF; however, only a small level of activity of nonspecific proteases was detected because of the significant level of antitryptic activity in the MEF. The levels of protease inhibitors and PA activity were significantly reduced by the steroid treatment. It is concluded that protease inhibitors play an important role in the protection of the middle ear mucosa and that corticosteroid treatment can reduce the severity of IC otitis media.

Animals↗

Sensorineural hearing loss in antigen-induced otitis media.

Chinchillas were sensitized with human serum albumin (HSA). When circulating antibody-titers were sufficiently elevated as to induce local inflammation, 1 ml of HSA (50, 5, 0.5 mg/ml) was instilled into the left middle ear cavity from the superior bulla. HSA containing a steroid agent was instilled into the right ear. Non-sensitized animals were used as control. In the sensitized animals, a significant hearing loss occurred at higher frequencies. The loss was dose-related. Less severe hearing loss was found following steroid treatment. We conclude that sensorineural hearing loss can occur in antigen-induced otitis media.

Animals↗

Relationship between antigen levels in middle ear and antigen passage through round window membrane in antigen-induced otitis media.

By using an antigen-induced (Arthus) otitis media (OM) model in chinchillas sensitized with human serum albumin (HSA), we investigated the passage of HSA through the round window membrane (RWM) by measuring HSA levels in both the middle ear fluid (MEF) and the perilymph (PL). The effect of corticosteroid treatment on HSA passage was also studied. Mean HSA levels in both the MEF and the PL were proportional to the HSA dose administered (0.5, 5, 50 mg/ml). The proportion of HSA-positive PL samples was significantly lower in the sensitized group than that of the control (p less than 0.01). HSA levels in the PL appear to depend on HSA levels in the MEF, which were significantly depressed in the sensitized animals. These results suggest that an immunological reaction may be involved in the reduction of antigen (HSA) passage through the RWM by reducing antigen concentrations in the MEF. Corticosteroid treatment reduces the passage of HSA into the PL in non-sensitized animals.

Animals↗