title: Histologic Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Bovine Pericardium Treated with Decellularization and α-Galactosidase: A Comparative Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bioprostheses for cardiovascular surgery have limitations in their use following as calicification. α-galactosidase epitope is known as a stimulant of immune response and then shows a progressing calcification. The objective of this study was to evaluate histologic characteristics and mechanical properties of decellularization and treated with α-galactosidase.
  
  
  METHODS
  BOVINE PERICARDIAL TISSUES WERE ALLOCATED INTO THREE GROUPS: fixation only with glutaraldehyde, decellularization with sodium dodesyl sulfate and decellularization plus treatment with α-galactosidase. We confirmed immunohistological characteristics and mechanical properties as fatigue test, permeability test, compliance test, tensile strength (strain) test and thermal stability test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Decellularization and elimination of α-gal were confirmed through immunohistologic findings. Decellularization had decreased mechanical properties compared to fixation only group in permeability (before fatigue test p=0.02, after fatigue test p=0.034), compliance (after fatigue test p=0.041), and tensile strength test (p=0.00). The group of decellularization plus treatment with α-galactosidase had less desirable mechanical properties than the group of decellularization in concerns of permeability (before fatigue test p=0.043) and strain test (p=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Favorable decellularization and elimination of α-gal were obtained in this study through immunohistologic findings. However, those treatment including decellularization and elimination of α-gal implied the decreased mechanical properties in specific ways. We need more study to complete appropriate ioprosthesis with decellularization and elimination of α-gal including favorable mechanical properties too.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
authors.forename: Byoung-Ju
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Yong Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jae-Woong
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Sun Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Soo Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hong-Gook
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Lim
keywords: Bioprosthesis; Decellularization; Glutaraldehyde; α-Gal