Expression Of Glutamate Receptors In Medial Vestibular Nucleus In Guinea Pigs With Recurrent Vertigo

Objective To study changes in expression of glutamate receptors in the medial vestibular nucleus using a guinea pig model of recurrent vertigo caused labyrinthine fistula.Method Adult male guinea pigs(n=56)were randomly divided to receive sham-operation(group A,n=8),labyrinthine fistula modeling and pneumatic otoscope treatment(group B,n= 48).Guinea pigs in group B were randomly selected to be sacrificed at 24h?48h?1w?2w?3w?4w post-operatively(n=8at each time point),while animals in group A were sacrificed at 4 weeks post-operation.Following fixative perfusion,the brain stem was harvested and expression of glutamate receptors in the MVN was examined by immunohistochemistry and compared among different groups.Results Glutamate receptors decreased in MVN on both sides after operation in animals from group B.Expression was the lowest at 24 h,and rose from 48 h to1w after operation.Significant difference was seen in B at 1w after operation(P<0.05),but not at A.At 2 weeks after operation,there was no difference between group B and A.There was no side-to-side difference in any groups.Conclusion 1.Glutamate receptors are expressed in the MVN in guinea pigs.These receptors may promote the normal process in the early stage of vestibule compensation.2.In addition to the involvement of Glutamate,vestibular compensation may also involve other neurotransmitters or chemical substances.