Sodium and Potassium Changes in Inner Ear Fluids: Anin Vivo Study With Glass Microelectrodes

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Abstract
Changes in the sodium ion (Na+) and potassium ion (K+) concentration of the endolymph and the perilymph of the scala tympani and the scala vestibuli of the cochlea of the living guinea pig were measured with cation-sensitive glass microelectrodes. Intense acoustic stimulation increased the Na+ concentration and decreased the K+ concentration in the endolymph. The endolymphatic Na+ concentration did not return to the control level after intense and prolonged acoustic stimulation. Similar stimulation slightly decreased the K+ concentration in the perilymph of the scala vestibuli, but the Na+ and K+ concentration in the perilymph of the scala tympani showed no appreciable change.