Impact of transportation on short-term preserved corneas preserved in Optisol-GS, Likorol, Likorol-DX, and MK-medium.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the impact of transportation, simulated under laboratory conditions, on the corneal endothelium preserved by Optisol-GS, Likorol-DX, Likorol, and MK-Medium.


METHODS
Three hundred twenty corneas from freshly slaughtered pigs were stored in Optisol-GS. Likorol-DX, Likorol. and MK-Medium for 1, 3, 6, or 10 days. After short-term preservation, the transportation was simulated on a laboratory shaker at 4 degrees C with an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 16 seconds for 5 hours. Mate corneas served as the control. Corneal endothelial cell density was determined at the time of dissection, directly before the experiment, and after subsequent organ culture.


RESULTS
A significant cell loss induced by transportation simulation was not observed in any experimental group. Preservation in MK-Medium starting at 3 days of short-term preservation resulted in a significant cell loss. Storage for up to 6 days in Optisol-GS, Likorol-DX, and Likorol did not result in a significant decrease in cell density.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term preserved corneas can be routinely distributed without a reevaluation, if the tissue is preserved for a shorter time as recommended by the manufacturers.
Halberstadt
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Athmann
S
S
Winter
R
R
Hagenah
M
M
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D045424:Complex Mixtures; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003911:Dextrans; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D005839:Gentamicins; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009926:Organ Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014186:Transportation
D045424:Complex Mixtures; D003470:Culture Media; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D003911:Dextrans; D005839:Gentamicins; C015368:McCarey-Kaufman medium; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; C075736:Optisol