Changes in the endocochlear potential and cochlear blood flow induced by ATP infusion and arterial occlusion

To assess the relationship between cochlear blood flow (CBF) and auditory function, a procedure of intravital microscopy for observations of the lateral wall vessels of the cochlea coupled with the simultaneous measurement of the endocochlear potential (EP) was established in guinea pigs with gradual ischemia of the cochlea. It was found that occlusions of both common carotid arteries and one of the vertebral arteries produced a minor reduction in CBF with no significant alteration in the EP. When intravenous infusion of ATP induced sharp and severe decreases in CBF, the EP varied only slightly from the baseline in some animals while there were no alteration in others. Furthermore, ATP infusions combined with arterial occlusions caused even more severe declines in CBF and a moderate decrease in the EP. The results indicate that not only does the CBF satisfy the basic needs of the processes of cochlear function, but also has a regulatory mechanism to ensure the normal function of the cochlea in the ischemia condition. It was also found that the changes in the stria vascularis vessels induced by decreases in blood pressure (BP) and heart rates were more severe than those of the spiral ligament vessels. This phenomenon indicated that the stria vascularis vessels were more sensitive to decreases of BP and heart rates.