title: [Effects of cryopreservation on cellular viability and extracellular matrix of the aortic valves].
abstract: Cryopreservation is the best preserving method of the homograft heart valve at present, but at the same time it may damage the valve structural integrity. This study was performed to probe into the effects of cryopreservation on the histology of aortic valve. The viability of the cardiac valves was evaluated by XTT-tetrazolium colorimetric assay and the histologic property was assayed by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and indirect immunofluorescent examination. The results of the experiments showed that the valve cellular viability was markedly decreased (P < 0.05), the cellular ultrastructure was damaged, the soluble extracellular matrix fibronectin and chondroitin sulfate were leached at different degree, and the interstitial collagen fibers were irregularly aligned after cryopreservation, but the damaged degree has no relation to storage within a period of 3 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Yinglong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Eryong
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Dengxiang
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Yonggang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zongwei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D001021:Aortic Valve; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous