ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cisplatin (cis-diamminodichloroplatinum) exercises its ototoxic effect by damaging hair cells of the inner ear. The effect of cisplatin on the vibratory response of the inner ear was investigated in the apical turn of the cochlea in 11 living guinea pigs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The exposed turn was sealed and fluid coupled to the objective lens of a slit confocal microscope. Individual cells were identified with the microscope and the vibration was measured with a confocal heterodyne interferometer. The vibration was made in response to tones applied to the ear canalat at selected locations such as the reticular lamina (Hensen cells and outer hair cells), and the basilar membrane adjacent to the outer Hensen cell edge. Vibration measurements were made before and after intravenous injections of cisplatin (16 mg/kg). RESULTS: The drug effect took place approximately 35 minutes after administering cisplatin. The vibration amplitude changes produced by cisplatin were not reversible with time. At the level of the reticular lamina, cisplatin reduced the vibration amplitude at almost all frequencies. However, these effects were small. In contrast to the reticular lamina response, at the basilar membrane, the vibration amplitude increased following cisplatin application. CONCLUSION: These experiments show that damage to the hair cells in the apical turn of the cochlea leads to an increase in the basilar membrane vibration. These observations support the concept of negative Feedback in the apical turn of the cochlea.