Abstract
Perilymphatic potassium (K) concentration was monitored in the second turn scala vestibuli (SV) and scala tympani (ST) during and after 10 minutes single scala perilymphatic perfusion with high K (15mM) artificial perilymph. The K level in SV elevated quickly by the ST perfusion and reached to a level higher than that of the perfusate itself. However, the SV perfusion caused only a little change of ST K level. The former finding cannot be interpreted without an active K transport into scala media probably at the stria vascularis, and a considerable K leak through the Reissner's membrane. This route of potassium dynamics seems to be taking an important role in a mechanism regulating perilymphatic and endolymphatic K levels in normal guinea pig cochlea.
