Early effects of gentamicin on inner ear glycocalyx cytochemistry.

The early effects of gentamicin treatment on the inner ear glycocalyx were investigated using two cationic probes, colloidal thorium and cationized ferritin. Gentamicin treatment resulted in a diminished thorium reactivity of both the endolymphatic and perilymphatic glycocalyx of the hair cells after 1 day and complete abolishment of reactivity after 5 days. Cationized ferritin reactivity of the perilymphatic and endolymphatic glycocalyx was not significantly influenced. The cytochemistry of the inner ear glycocalyx and the possible biochemical changes induced by gentamicin are discussed.