XXIX. Distribution of tritium-labeled salicylate in the cochlea: An autoradiographical study

Tritium-labeled salicylate was localized autoradiographically in freeze-dried cochleae of guinea pigs. Fifteen minutes after intravenous injection, salicylate-H was found mainly in the lumen of capillaries in the stria vascularis and spiral ligament. One hour after intraperitoneal injection, tritiated salicylate had diffused into the organ of Corti and Rosenthal's canal, but salicylate was still concentrated in the stria vascularis and in the spiral ligament. Six hours after injection little radioactivity remained in the mentioned areas and none was demonstrable thirteen hours after administration. Evidently salicylate is rapidly absorbed and promptly reaches the cochlea via the arteries, from which it readily diffuses into all parts of the cochlear duct, without any appreciable accumulation or retention. Salicylate inhibits the activity of a variety of enzymes and has the potential to impair the function of all cells throughout the cochlear duct. The possibility that certain cells may be specifically susceptible to damage by salicylate cannot be excluded.