简介：ObjectiveThisstudyistoexploretherelationshipbetweenacetylcholine(ACh)-inducedcalciumreleasefromintracellularCa2+storesandfunctionofouterhaircell(OHC)motors,inanattempttoelucidatethemechanismofOHCelectromotilityatrestingstate.MethodsOHCswereisolatedfromadultguineapig(200-300g)cochleaandloadedwithFluo-3/AM.ThecellsweretreatedwithACh/dHBSS,ACh/HBSS,dHBSSonlyorHBSSonly.Intracellular[Ca2+]ivariationsincellsunderthefourtreatmentswereobservedusinganAr-Krlaserscanconfocalmicroscope.Results[Ca2+]ioscillationswererecordedinfiveOHCstreatedwithACh/dHBSSbutnotinothercells.ThisisthefirsttimethatAch-excited[Ca2+]ioscillationsarereportedinguineapigOHCsindependentofextracellularcalcium.ConclusionsACh-excited[Ca2+]ioscillationsinOHCsoriginatesfromintracellularcalciumreleaseandmayplayacrucialroleinmaintainingactivemechanicalmotilityoftheOHCatrestingandmodulatingOHCelectromotility.