[Effects of nimodipine on calcium currents in isolated outer hair cells of guinea pig cochlea].

The effects of nimodipine on calcium currents in outer hair cells isolated from guinea pig cochlea were investigated using a whole-cell recording patch-clamp technique. External application of nimodipine (10 mumol/L) caused a decrease of voltage-dependent calcium currents and an elevation of current-voltage curve. The half-maximal inhibition concentration of nimodipine inhibiting the voltage-dependent calcium currents was 60.14 nmol/L, and the maximal inhibition was 34.16%. The present results demonstrate that nimodipine reversiblly and partially blocks the voltage-dependent calcium currents in isolated outer hair cells of guinea pig cochlea in a concentration-dependent manner. It is suggested that nimodipine may be used in the treatment of Meniere disease through decreasing the influx of Ca2+ into the outer hair cells.