The Journal of Laryngology & Otology

Table of Contents - 2010 - Volume 124, Issue 10  

Main Articles

Immunohistochemical localisation of endothelin receptor subtypes in the cochlear lateral wall

D-Y Xua1, Q-X Zhanga2, Y-Q Maa3, X-L Zhenga4 and S-X Liua1 c1

a1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

a2 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China

a3 Department of Histology and Embryology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

a4 Molecular and Translational Medicine Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

Abstract

Objective: Endothelin has many biological activities, including regulation of the functions of the cochlear lateral wall. The present study aimed to analyse the expression of endothelin receptors in the cochlear lateral wall, and to investigate the significance of such receptors in maintaining the homeostatic environment of the cochlea.

Methods: The cochleae of healthy guinea pigs were fixed, decalcified, embedded in paraffin and serially sectioned. Expression of the endothelin receptor subunits A and B in the cochlear lateral wall was examined using an immunohistochemical technique.

Results: Different degrees of endothelin receptor subunit A and endothelin receptor subunit B like activity were found distributed in the cells of the cochlear lateral wall.

Conclusion: These findings support the theory that endothelin, via its receptors, plays an important role in maintaining the homeostatic environment of the cochlea.

(Accepted March 29 2010)

(Online publication June 08 2010)

Key words

Correspondence:

c1 Address for correspondence: Dr Shi-Xi Liu, Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, West China hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan Chengdu 610041, China. E-mail: liusx999@163.com

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