The Influence of Portocaval Shunting on Inner Ear Structures
February 1990
in “
Pathology, research and practice
”
Studysummary This study in rats with a portocaval shunt observed severe ultrastructural damage to the inner ear, associated with zinc deficiency and symptoms resembling liver cirrhosis in humans.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
In a study examining the effects of portocaval shunting (PCS) on inner ear structures in rats, 15 rats underwent PCS while control rats underwent similar procedures without the shunt. PCS rats exhibited increased urinary zinc excretion, weight loss, alopecia, lethargy, and testicular atrophy, along with significantly reduced serum zinc levels. Ultrastructural analysis of the inner ear revealed increased lysosomes, severe myelin sheath damage in granular ganglion cells, and vacuolization in the stria vascularis and Reissner's membrane. These findings suggested that PCS rats could serve as a model for studying zinc deficiency similar to that seen in patients with liver cirrhosis.
