Alteration of strial capillary transport in kanamycin-treated guinea pigs.

Ferritin transport through the strial capillary during kanamycin intoxication was examined under a transmission electron microscope. Twelve guinea pigs were treated intramuscularly with kanamycin (400 mg/kg/day) for 2-3 weeks. When full hearing loss was recognized by estimating the Preyer reflex or auditory brain-stem response (ABR), ferritin was given intravenously and animals were sacrificed 1/3, 1, and 2 h later. At 1/3 h, ferritin was present diffusely not only in the endothelial cell but also in the basal lamina and within vesicles in the strial cell. Alternatively, it was discharged into the endolymphatic space. At 2 h, ferritin was seen on the luminal surface and in the cytoplasm of the endolymphatic cells of Reissner's membrane. These results suggest that the basal lamina of the strial capillary was altered qualitatively by kanamycin administration.