AN OBSERVATION ON OTOACOUSTIC EMISSION AND ULTRASTRUCTURE OF COCHLEA IN EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE INNER-EAR DISEASE

Objective. To acquire the detailed knowledge of immune lesion of inner ear. Methods. A simultaneous study on physiology and ultrastructure w as carried out in guinea pigs immunized with homogenous inner ear anti gen. The specific antibody was analysed by a modified immunotransfer e lectrophoresis method. Results. Three positive bands (with molecular w eights of 68.0kD, 62.7kD and 60.1kD) were found in all the sera of imm unized animals but not in the control animals. Threshold shift of audi tory brainstem response over 10dB HL was found in 42% of secondary sys tem immunized animals and 32% of secondary endolymphatic sac (e.sac) i mmunized animals. Amplitude of distortion production otoacoustic emiss ion dropped obviously in the above two groups. Transmission electron m icroscope showed the mitochondria of outer hair cells in the cochlea w as impaired in animals with auditory disorder. Conclusions, The resear ch suggests that the immune reaction against homogenous inner ear anti gen results in dysfunction of hydroxycorticosteroid during the early s tage.