Effect of Furosemide on Cl^- Activity in the Scala Media

Abstract

Endocochlear potential (EP) and Cl^- activity in the scala media were recorded by means of Cl^- sensitive double-barrelled microelectrodes in the second turn of the cochlea of the guinea pig during perilymphatic perfusion with furosemide and ouabain. Furosemide produced a slight increase in Cl^- activity during the EP reduction to the level near 0 mV, whereas ouabain decreased Cl^- activity accompanying the EP reduction to the level near 0 mV. The effect of furosemide on Cl^- activity in the scala media may be explained by the inhibition of active Cl^- extrution pump in the stria vascularis.