| Abstract: | We examined the cochleae of the spontaneously diabetic KK mice by using transmission electron microscopy. At the age of 3 months, the mice started to show evidence for glycosuria and hyperglycemia, and tissue sections showed beginning cochlear pathology. The pathological changes present were found to be limited to the stria vascularis: protrusions of marginal cells, swellings of intermediate cells and widening of intercellular spaces were the main findings seen. These changes progressed with age, but were not observed in age-matched non-diabetic 57BL/6 mice. The possible mechanism of diabetes causing cochlear pathology is discussed. |
