Aquaporin Expression And Significance Of Stagnant Water In The Inner Ear In Normal And Membranous Labyrinth

AQPs is a family of membrane channel protein which facilitates rapid water transport across plasma membrane. They play an important role in maintaining the fluid balance of various organs. Endolymphatic hydrops (ELH) is the pathological basis of Meniere's disease (MD). But the pathogenesis of ELH is not clear. In our study, ten guinea pigs were given introperitoneal injection of desmopressin which is an analogue of arginine vasopressin . ELH is present in 60% of guinea pigs. The expression of AQPs in inner ears with ELH is compared with that of normal ears. AQPO, 1, 2, 3, 5 ,7 ,8 were found in normal ear of guinea pigs. Weak expression of AQPO was found in stria vascularis and spiral ganglion. The distribution of AQP1 consists of cells lining the bony labyrinth, fibrocytes lining the endolymphatic duct and sac, cells under the basilar membrane, fibrocytes of the spiral ligament and the spiral limbus, Cortis organ, inner and outer spiral sulcus, stria vascularis, saccular and utricular wall, and spiral ganglion. AQP2 locates in stria vascularis, Corti's organ, spiral ganglion and endolymphatic sac. AQP3, 7, 8 distribute in a similar manner which is surrounding the membranous labyrihth, including Cortis organ, inner and outer spiral sulcus, stria vascularis, fibrocytes of the spiral ligament and the spiral limbus, saccular and utricular wall, endolymphatic sac and spiral ganglion. AQP5 locates...