ObjectiveTotestCalciumion(Ca2+)flowattheheadandendofouterhaircells(OHCs)inrestingstateandinresponsetoNimodipinetreatment.MethodsNon-invasivemicro-testtechniqueswereusedtostudyCa2+inisolatedOHCsinadultguineapigs.ResultsFourtypesofCa2+transportwereidentifiedinOHCsonbasilarmembranetissuefragments:influxattheheadofwitheffluxatthebottom(type1):effluxattheheadofOHCswithinfluxatthebottom(type2);influxatthebothheadandbottom(type3);andeffluxatthebothheadandbottom(type4).However,onlytype1andtype3ofCa2+iontransportweredetectedinthecochlea.WeproposethatCa2+iontransportexistsinadultguineapigcochlearOHCsinrestingstateandisvariable.Ca2+flowinOHCcanbeinhibitedbyNimodipineinrestingstate.
