Stimulated volume changes in mammalian outer hair cells

Outer hair cell volume increases in response to superfusion with solutions in which sodium has been replaced with either potassium or sucrose are reported. Volume loss in response to sustained electrical depolarization as well as ototoxic concentrations of salicylate is also described. These stimulated volume changes are attributed to changes in the hydrostatic pressure of the cytoplasm and may involve the mechanisms that regulate outer hair cell turgidity. The loss of turgor and consequent decreases in the fast electromotile response observed with salicylate is consistent with the hearing loss and loss of evoked otoacoustic emissions reported with the ingestion of ototoxic doses of aspirin.<>