The role of cholinergic transmission in outer hair cell functioning evaluated by distortion product otoacoustic emissions in myasthenic patients

Acta Otolaryngol. 2001 Jan;121(2):119-21. doi: 10.1080/000164801300043127.

Abstract

Outer hair cells (OHCs) are the source of otoacoustic emissions, following a tropomyosin-miosin-dependent contraction, which are regulated by the olivocochlear bundle via the release of acetylcholine (ACh). ACh acts on ACh receptors (AChR) located on the OHC post-synaptic membrane. In myasthenia gravis (M.G.) neuromuscular transmission is reduced due to the action of AChR autoantibodies. It has previously been shown that M.G. induces a reduction in transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs), which is reversed after administration of a cholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were recorded before and 60 min after oral administration of 60 mg pyridostigmine bromide in 25 patients with normal hearing affected by M.G. The results were compared with those from 25 age-matched normal controls. Mean values of DPOAE amplitude in myasthenic patients were significantly (p < 0.05) lower at all frequencies before drug administration. All patients showed an overall significant (p < 0.05) increase in DPOAE amplitude after drug administration, although without reaching the control values. Such a recovery was more evident and highly significant (p < 0.01) for middle and high frequencies and could be explained by a higher concentration of ACh receptors in the basal and middle cochlear turns. These data seem to confirm the role of ACh in the neurotransmission of the auditory efferent system and may represent a new in vivo model for the investigation of the physiology of this system.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine / physiology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cholinergic Fibers / drug effects
  • Cholinergic Fibers / physiology*
  • Female
  • Hair Cells, Auditory, Outer / drug effects
  • Hair Cells, Auditory, Outer / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myasthenia Gravis / diagnosis
  • Myasthenia Gravis / drug therapy
  • Myasthenia Gravis / physiopathology*
  • Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / drug effects
  • Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / physiology*
  • Pyridostigmine Bromide / therapeutic use
  • Reference Values
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology*

Substances

  • Pyridostigmine Bromide
  • Acetylcholine