Effect of kanamycin on the cochleas in guinea pigs

Kanamycin (400 mg/kg) was injected daily for 5 days in guinea pigs, the changes in CM and AP responses were recorded. The CM threshold was elevated in 34.5% of the animals and the CM amplitude was reduced when compared with normal animals (P less than 0.005). The AP threshold was elevated in 13.8%. The latency of N1 was increased (P less than 0.001) and the amplitude of N1 reduced at 80 dB (S-L) (P less than 0.001).cAMP and cGMP levels in the organ of Corti and stria vascularis spiral ligament decreased, and the decrease correlated with the changes in auditory function. We consider the reduction of cyclic nucleotides in the cochlea may be important in kanamycin ototoxicity.