Maintenance of cochlear function with artificial oxygen carriers.

By means of vascular perfusion via the anterior inferior cerebellar artery with a blood substitute containing the perfluorochemical FC 47 as oxygen carrier, it is possible to maintain normal or near normal levels of the cochlear microphonics and the endolymphatic potential of the guinea pig for perios of 90 min, or longer. Following 60 min. of perfusion with artificial blood, the levels of ATP and 5' AMP in the stria vascularis and the organ of Corti are comparable to those of nonperfused control animals maintained at optimal metabolic conditions. Following the same period of perfusion, the appearance of the organ of Corti is normal, but small vacuoles, presumably deposits of FC 47, are visible in the marginal cells of the stria vascularis. Preliminary experiments concerning the survival time and the revival time of the cochlear potentials, as well as the response to furosemide, ouabain, and mersalyl are presented to illustrate the value of this method in elucidating various biochemical and pharmacological problems of the cochlea.