The effect of adenosine on cochlear potentials in the guinea pig.

The effect of adenosine on cochlear potentials was examined in the guinea pig. Perilymphatic perfusion with 10(-4) M adenosine produced a significant decrease in the amplitudes of cochlear microphonics, negative summating potential (-SP) and compound action potential (CAP) and significant prolongation of N1 latency with no change in the endocochlear potential. The decreases in the amplitudes of -SP and CAP caused by adenosine were dose-dependent. Perilymphatic perfusion with an inactive analogue, 8-bromoadenosine, produced no changes in the cochlear potentials. The A1-receptor agonist, 2-chloro-adenosine, produced a similar change in cochlear potentials to adenosine, while no changes were produced by the A2-receptor agonist, 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)-adenosine. These results suggest that adenosine may have a modulatory function through an A1 receptor in the cochlea.