Changes of perilymphatic glutamate and cochlear blood flow following ischemia

Dynamic changes of perilymphatic glutamate and cochlear blood flow were measured simultaneously in the guinea pig following cochlear ischemia. Glutamate was measured by the microdialysis technique with a probe inserted into the scala tympani at the basal turn. Cochlear blood flow was monitored with a laser-Doppler probe on the lateral wall of the second cochlear turn. Both parameters were measured before and after electrocauterization of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery and other vessels supplying the internal auditory canal. In four animals, glutamate increased with a decline of cochlear blood flow and then decreased with recovery of blood flow. No normalization of glutamate was observed in seven animals with a persistent decrease of blood flow. The results of this study indicate that the glutamate regulating system in the cochlea is dependent on cochlear blood flow.