Effects of anoxia and ethacrynic acid upon ampullar endolymphatic potential and upon high energy phosphates in ampullar wall.

The ampullar endolymphatic potential (AEP) was studied in the guinea pig during ischemia and asphyxia and following systemic application of ethacrynic acid. In addition the specialized and nonspecialized portions of the ampullar wall were analyzed for ATP and P-creatine at different conditions of metabolic interference. Under control conditions the AEP amounted to + 4.6 +/- 1.2 mV. In both types of hypoxia the decline of the AEP proceeded on a much slower time scale than that of the cochlear endolymphatic potential (CEP), and the maximum negativity reached was considerably less. Quantitative analysis of both types of ampullar wall tissue indicated a much slower decline in hypoxia of ATP levels than in the stria vascularis. Changes in P-creatine levels were considerably more rapid. The AEP became reduced and changed polarity also by intoxication with ethacrynic acid (EA), but higher dosages (above 70 mg/kg) were necessary than for effects upon the CEP and much longer time periods were required for attainment of maximum negativity. The maximum negativity of the AEP was significantly greater at a dosage of 100 mg/kg of EA than during ischemia. At the point of maximum depression of the AEP P-creatine levels in both types of ampullar tissue were unchanged, but ATP levels were significantly reduced in the specialized portions of ampullar wall.