Role of capillary pericytes and precapillary arterioles in the vascular mechanism of betahistine in a guinea pig inner ear model

Abstract

Aims Betahistine is a histamine analogue that is used for the treatment of Menière's disease. Animal studies showed that it increases local blood flow in the stria vascularis. In terms of its mode of action, recent studies have prompted discussion of whether betahistine actively affects cochlear microcirculation by dilations of pericytes or of precapillary arterioles or by mere downstream effects. Hence, we investigated the effects of betahistine on cochlear capillary pericytes and precapillary arterioles. Main methods The stria vascularis was visualized in 12 guinea pigs by in vivo fluorescence microscopy. In these, 152 pericytes were stained and local diameter at sites of pericyte somas an..