Caffeine-induced shortening of isolated outer hair cells: an osmotic mechanism of action.
The application of caffeine to the bathing medium of isolated cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) induces shortening of the cells (Slepecky et al., 1988). This study was designed to test the hypothesis that a 'smooth muscle-like' mechanism was responsible for the caffeine-induced shortening of OHCs as suggested by Slepecky et al. OHCs were isolated from guinea pig cochleae and length measurements were taken during various drug perfusions. Antagonists of the ryanodine receptor/Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release (CICR; tetracaine, ruthenium red, and ryanodine) failed to block the caffeine-induced shortening of the OHCs. Application of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 caused cell length to increase. These results did not support this hypothesis and therefore, an osmotic mechanism was proposed.