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Gradual thawing improves the preservation of cryopreserved arteries.

Author(s) : BUJÀN J., PASCUAL G., LÓPEZ R., et al.

Type of article: Article

Summary

The study was designed to test a slow, controlled, automated process for the thawing of cryopreserved arteries, whereby specimen warming is synchronized with the warming of its environment. Segments of minipig iliac artery, 4-5 cm in length, were subjected to controlled, automated cryopreservation in a biological freezer at a cooling rate of 1 °C/min to -120 °C, followed by storage in liquid nitrogen at -196 °C for 30 days. Following storage, the arterial segments were subjected to rapid (approximately 100 °C/min) or gradual (1 °C/min) thawing. Thawed specimens were processed for light microscopy and for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Cell death was determined by the TUNEL method. Metalloproteinase (MMP) expression was estimated by immunohistochemical analysis. Vessels thawed most rapidly showed spontaneous fractures, mainly microfractures, whereas these were absent in specimens thawed slowly. In vessels thawed rapidly, the proportion of damaged cells was twice as important as the proportion observed in specimens thawed more gradually. Increased intensity and extent of MMP-2 expression was shown by rapidly-thawed specimens. The slow-thawing protocol avoids the accumulation of fluid within the arterial wall tissue. This results in improved tissue preservation.

Details

  • Original title: Gradual thawing improves the preservation of cryopreserved arteries.
  • Record ID : 2002-2152
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Cryobiology - vol. 42 - n. 4
  • Publication date: 2001/06

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