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Updated: May 17, 2026

Immunolabeling and Counting Ribbon Synapses in Young Adult and Aged Gerbil Cochleae
Published on: April 21, 2022
Dopamine increases Na+ absorption in the Reissner's membrane of the gerbil cochlea
Chang-Hee Kim1, Hye-Young Kim, Ho Sun Lee
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Republic of Korea.
Objective:
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of dopamine as a possible regulator of epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) in the Reissner's membrane (RM).
Methods:
RM was freshly dissected from the gerbil cochlea, and short-circuit current (Isc) was measured using the voltage-sensitive vibrating probe technique. The dopamine receptor expression was examined using immunohistochemistry.
Results:
The results showed that dopamine induced activation of the amiloride-sensitive Isc, but not after pre-treatment with amiloride. The D1-like receptor antagonist SCH-23390, but not the D2-like receptor antagonist sulpiride, decreased the stimulatory effect of dopamine on RM. The effect of dopamine on Na(+) transport via ENaC was still observed after blockade of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase by ouabain. D1 receptor immunoreactivity was observed in RM, stria vascularis and spiral ganglion.
Conclusion:
Na(+) transport in RM is activated by dopamine possibly via D1-like receptors, and intracellular mechanisms other than cAMP-mediated pathway may be involved.
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