A new animal model for Ménière's disease.

CONCLUSION A new murine model for the study of Ménière's disease has been developed by treatment with both lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and aldosterone. Induction of vestibular dysfunction in the hydropic animal model may entail additional stress such as reduced inner ear blood flow, and sudden acute changes in endolymph volume and/or pressure. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to develop a more suitable animal model, showing closer resemblance to the pathophysiological process in Ménière's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Adult CBA/J mice were treated by intratympanic injection of LPS, intraperitoneal injection of aldosterone, or injection of both LPS and aldosterone. Morphological analyses were performed in the cochlea and endolymphatic sac. RESULTS All experimental animals showed mild to moderate endolymphatic hydrops. Those treated with both LPS and aldosterone showed reversible vestibular dysfunction after the intratympanic injection of epinephrine.