Cell membrane alterations in the stria vascularis of the guinea pig after ethacrynic acid treatment studied by freeze-fracture.

A freeze-fracture examination of the stria vascularis during the first 2 h after injection of ethacrynic acid was performed. This showed a re-distribution of the particles on the membrane fracture faces of both marginal and intermediate cells. As oedematous spaces developed, particle-poor, vesicle-like structures were found associated with both cell types. The tight junctions at the apices of the marginal cells and around basal cells were unaffected.