Size variations in the lateral intercellular spaces of the endolymphatic sac induced by dietary factors

Since much evidence suggests that the endolymphatic sac is responsible for endolymph resorption, and that the endolymphatic sac lateral intercellular spaces which are lined by the energy-dependent transport complex NA+,K(+)-ATPase are important in this process, we sought to evaluate the effects of dietary salt and a food extract that inhibits the activity of Na+,K(+)-ATPase on lateral intercellular space size. Animals fed this food factor and a high-sodium diet had significantly smaller endolymphatic sac lateral intercellular spaces than those animals fed only a high-sodium diet (analysis of variance with Scheffe's multiple comparison test, P less than 0.001). Animals fed a high-sodium diet had significantly larger endolymphatic sac lateral intercellular spaces than those animals fed a control diet only (analysis of variance with Scheffe's multiple comparison test, P less than 0.001). Results of this study suggest that dietary sodium affects endolymphatic sac fluid dynamics and that other food factors may regulate sodium metabolism, and therefore endolymphatic sac function.