Distribution of gentamicin by immunofluorescence in the guinea pig inner ear.

We studied the distribution of gentamicin in the inner ear, brain and kidney of the guinea pig following intraperitoneal administration or perfusion of gentamicin through the perilymphatic space. The resulting histopathological changes were examined by immunofluorescence using antigentamicin antiserum. After perfusion of gentamicin through the perilymphatic space, specific fluorescence was found in the cochlea, and was especially prominent in the outer hair cells, basilar membrane and basilar crest. Although no fluorescence was observed in the cochlea following intraperitoneal administration of high doses of gentamicin, type I hair cells in the vestibule were seen to be selectively stained with the antibody. Furthermore, some of the vestibular ganglion cells, Purkinje cells and unidentified nuclei in the brain stem were also stained. In particular, fine granules showing relatively intense fluorescence were recognized in the cytoplasm of the stained cells. In the cortex of kidney, only proximal tubular cells were stained with intense fluorescence. Our results suggest that the aminoglycoside antibiotics have two sites of action: one is the cell membrane of the sensory hair cells and the other is the cytoplasm.