The effect of loop diuretics upon summating potentials in the guinea pig

Ototoxic diuretics, ethacrynic acid (50 mg/kg) and furosemide (80 mg/kg) were injected intravenously in guinea pigs. Cochlear microphonics (CM), summating potentials (SPs) and endocochlear potential (EP) were recorded with a microelectrode in scala media of the second turn. CM changes after the injection were comparable with changes in the EP: an initial decrease was followed by an increase which was significantly slower in the case of the ethacrynic acid. SP changes following either diuretic were different from the CM and EP changes. In the first phase, roughly corresponding with the EP decrease to negative values, all SPs irrespective of the original polarity, attained high positive values. The high positive SPs then decreased and 12–18 min after injection reversed polarity. In the late phase all sounds evoked high negative SPs. Approximately 90 min after injection of furosemide normal SPs were again recorded. The return of SPs to control values was very slow after ethacrynic acid; even 140 min after injection the SPs were abnormal. The observed changes in the SPs were compared with those found during asphyxia and anoxia and are considered to result from diuretic effects on the inner and outer hair cells.