Effects of caloric vestibular stimulation on serotoninergic system in the media vestibular nuclei of guinea pigs

Background Anatomic and electrophysiological studies have revealed that the neurons located in the media vestibular nuclei （MVN） receive most of the sensory vestibular input coming from the ipsilateral labyrinth and the responses of MVN neurons to caloric stimulation directly reflect changes in primary vestibular afferent activity. The aim of this study was to clarify the intrinsic characteristics of serotonin （5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT） release in the MVN during the period of vertigo induced by caloric stimulation. Methods We used an in vivo microdialysis technique to examine the effects of caloric stimulation on the serotoninergic system in MVN. Twenty four guinea pigs were randomly divided into the groups of irrigation of the ear canal with hot water （n=6）, ice water （n=6） and 37℃ water （n=4）, and the groups of irrigation of the auricle with hot water （n=-4） and ice water （n=4）, according to different caloric vestibular stimulation. We examined the animal＇s caloric nystagmus with a two-channel electronystagmographic recorder （ENG）, and meanwhile examine serotonin （5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT） level in the MVN with microdialysis technique after caloric stimulation. Results In the caloric test the hot water （44℃） irrigation of the right external auditory canal induced horizontal nystagmus towards the right side lasting about 60 seconds and the ice water irrigation of the right external auditory canal induced it towards the left side lasting for about 90 seconds. No nystagmus was induced by 37℃ water irrigation of the external ear canal. Therefore, it was used as a negative control stimulation to the middle ear. The MVN 5-HT levels significantly increased in the first 5-minute collecting interval and increased to 254% and 189% of the control group in the second collecting interval in response to caloric vestibular stimulation with ice water and hot water respectively. The serotonin release was not distinctly changed by the irrigation of the auricle with ice water or hot water. Conclusions Neither somato-sensory stimulation of the middle ear nor nonspecific cold or hot stress affects the serotonin release. The rise of 5-HT in MVN may be involved in the mechanism of vertigo induced by caloric stimulation.

Firing Properties and Classification of MVN Neurons in Rats

In order to know the effects of caloric stimulation on neuronal firing in medial vestibular nuclei (MVN) by middle ear irrigation, the middle ear was irrigated with ice (4℃, hot (44℃. and warm (37℃ ) water, and the firing rate of MVN neuron was extracellularly recorded. The results showed that the firing rate of MVN neuron was changed by caloric stimulation, and the majority of MVN neurons showed excitation by irrigation with hot water and inhibition by ice water (type A). The neuronal firing was recovered immediately after the cessation of the stimulation. I It was concluded that the neuronal firing rate in MVN was changed by caloric stimulation in middle ear cavity. The response was different in various neurons.

Change of extracellular ascorbic acid in the brain cortex following ice water vestibular stimulation： an on-line electrochemical detection coupled with in vivo microdialysis sampling for guinea pigs

Background Ascorbic acid （AA） represents one of the most important enzyme co-factors, antioxidants and neuromodulators and plays an important role in the cerebral system. Increasing evidence has suggested that AA could treat certain kinds of vertigo diseases such as Meniere＇s disease. To elucidate the neurochemical functions associated with AA in vertigo, the change of extracellular AA in the brain cortex following caloric vestibular stimulation （CVS） was evaluated.Methods An on-line electrochemical detection was coupled with in vivo microdialysis to continuously monitor the change of extracellular AA in the primary somatosensory （SI） area of guinea pigs following a caloric vestibular stimulation. Sixteen guinea pigs were divided into three groups, i.e., experimental group with irrigation of the ear canal with ice water （0℃） （n=-8）, and two control groups, one with irrigation of the ear canal with warm water （38℃） （n=-4） and the other with irrigation of the auricle with ice water （n=-4）.Results In the experimental group, the ice water irrigation of the left external ear canal induced a horizontal nystagmus towards the right side lasting about 45 seconds. No nystagmus was induced by warm water irrigation of the external ear canal or by ice water irrigation of the auricle. The extracellular AA concentration significantly increased following the ice water vestibular stimulation, reaching a maximum of （130±20）% （n=8） of the basal dialysate level （2.61±0.92） μmol/L （n=8）, lasting at least for an hour. AA level did not change distinctly after the irrigation of the left external ear canal with warm water or the irriclation of the auricle with ice water.Conclusions The concentration of extracellular AA in the brain cortex of the SI area increased following the ice water vestibular stimulation. This demonstration may be useful for the investigation of the neurochemical processes associated with AA in the process of vertigo.