A time sequence study was performed on experimental animals to investigate long-term effects of intravenously administered glycerol on the epithelial cell activity in the endolymphatic sac (ES) and on the ES volume. Fifteen to 60 min after systemic glycerol administration, the ES volume decreased. During this time, the ES lumen was often obliterated. Subsequently, the lumen dilated. Meanwhile, many light epithelial cells showed granules with floccular and/or lamellar contents. Concomitant deposition of floccular material into the luminal space suggested secretion of macromolecular substances, presumably from these transformed light cells. The number of granule-containing cells was significantly increased 2 h (p