Glycerol administration modulates the pattern of the 3-fucosyl-N-acetyl-lactosamine (CD15) epitope in the adult guinea pig inner ear.

The effect of glycerol administration on the distribution pattern of the CD15 (3-fucosyl-N-acetyl-lactosamine) epitope has been studied immunohistochemically in hydropic and non-hydropic ears of adult guinea pigs from 80 min to 5 h after treatment with 2 g/kg glycerol. Glycerol administration characteristically modulated the immunoreactivity of the CD15 epitope in the endolymphatic sac and the tectorial membrane (TM) and revealed the CD15 epitope in the otoconia of the saccule, the stereocilia and the supporting cells of the ampullae. Our results suggest that glycerol interacts with glycoconjugates of the TM and otoconia, causing changes in their density and possibly the hydration state. As a consequence, the transduction process may be affected.