Biochemical Problems of Inner Ear Disease

Abstract

The present investigations have revealed that vestibular asymmetry is closely related to the imbalance of glucose contents of perilymph between the bilateral ears. As a result, it is supposed that the vestibular function is influenced by the vascular conditions within the inner ear. This result is sure to be a clue to the understanding of Ménière's disease, including its recurrence and the Tullio phenomenon.

Since oxygen tension in the inner ear also decreases during intense sound stimulation, disturbances in the vascular system or subsequent oxygen deprivation in the inner ear appear to be the important etiological factors in the onset of some inner ear diseases.

In these cases, the biochemical lesions of the inner ear are classified as follows: (1) oxygen deprivation; (2) inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation. It was indicated experimentally and clinically that the combined use of ATP and DPN is markedly effective in inner ear disease.