Abstract
The effects of glycerol and mannitol on oxygen tension of the cochlear perilymph were studies using a polarographic technique in the guinea pig. Following a transient fall immediately after the intravenous administration of each drug, the oxygen tention increased to reach a peak 5 to 10 minutes later, and then decreased gradually. The magnitude and duration of the oxygen tention increase were larger after the administration of glycerol than that of mannitol. These results were in good agreement with the clinical data that glycerol was more effective for producing hearing gain in Meniere's disease patients than mannitol. The increase of oxygen tension in the cochlea, therefore, is considered to be one of the possible contributory factors in the improvement of hearing in patients with Meniere's disease after glycerol administration.
