Regulation of AF9 protein expression and cochlear function by aldosterone in guinea pigs
QIN Li
ZHANG Biyun
ZHONG Shixun
Abstract：Objective To study the effect of aldosterone on AF9 protein expression and cochlear function in guinea pigs and to investigate possible roles of aldosterone and AF9 protein in the pathogenesis of endolymphatic hydrops. Meth-ods Twenty-eight guinea pigs were randomly divided into a control and an aldosterone treatment group (Ald group). The Ald group received daily aldosterone at 0.1mg/kg/d intraperitoneally for 5 days, while the control group received equivalent normal saline treatment. After one month, cochlear function was tested by auditory brainstem response (ABR), morphology of cochlea was examined by Hematoxylin and Eosin staining, and expression of AF9 protein was evaluated by immunohisto-chemistry. Rusults Compared to the control group, the Ald group showed higher ABR thresholds (P<0.05). Seventy-one percent of animals in the Ald group had endolymphatic hydrops. The AF9 protein was found in the stria vascularis, Reiss-ner’s membrane, spiral limbus, organ of Corti, spiral ganglions and periosteum of scala vestibule. The expression of AF9 protein in stria vascularis and Reissner’s membrane in the Ald group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion AF9 protein involved in Na+regulation is present in the cochlea. Aldosterone participates in endolymph metab-olism and influence the function of inner ear by regulating the expression of AF9 protein.
Keywords：AldosteroneAF9 proteinEndolymphatic hydropsCochlear function
Publication Date：2016-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 788-792 )