[Survival of dopaminergic neurons that were hibernated in vitro for seven days].
BACKGROUND
The use of fresh foetal tissue in neurotransplants entails considerable problems of logistics that limit its clinical applicability, something that can be resolved by the development of optimal tissue storage procedures that do not affect in vivo viability and survival of dopamine. AIMS. To determine whether 7 days' hibernation affects the survival of mesencephalic tissue in vitro, and to compare it to fresh tissue.


METHODS
The midbrains of rats were hibernated for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days at 4 degrees C. A cellular suspension was prepared for culture throughout a 7-day period. The number of TH+ cells present in the fresh and hibernated cultures was determined.


RESULTS
The morphology of the hibernated and cultured dopaminergic neurons was very similar to that of the fresh cells. Comparing the viability of the hibernated and fresh cells did not reveal any significant differences. No significant differences between the numbers of TH+ neurons were observed at any of the hibernation times. The lowest rate of TH+ cell survival was reached at seven days' hibernation. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the number of TH+ neurons for fresh and hibernated tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
Hibernation at 4 degrees C for up to five days guarantees the survival of TH+ cells in vitro, but it is affected by longer times. This procedure could be considered useful for preserving human tissue in clinical transplant applications. These results refer to in vitro conditions; therefore, studies must be conducted to investigate the survival and functionality of hibernated and transplanted neurons in animal models to enable us to evaluate its applicability in neurorestorative therapy.
de la Cuétara-Bernal
K
K
Departamento de Cultivo de Tejido Nervioso, Centro Internacional de Restauración Neurológica, Ciudad Habana, Cuba. karelys@neubas.sld.cu
Castillo-Díaz
L
L
Martínez-Martí
L
L
García-Varona
A Y
AY
D000818:Animals; D016380:Brain Tissue Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D048430:Cell Shape; D002470:Cell Survival; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D016332:Fetal Tissue Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004298:Dopamine