title: An outcome analysis and long-term viability of cryopreserved cultured epidermal allografts: assessment of the conservation of transplantable human skin allografts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the viability of cultured epithelium and preserved by freezing for periods varying from one month to one year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples of cultured epithelium were incubated in cryoprotectant medium (Group A), packed in aluminum envelopes and packed in polystyrene boxes. The boxes were subjected to a temperature of-70 ºC. After freezing for a period of time ranging from one to 12 months, cultured epithelial samples were assessed for their viability by vital staining (Trypan blue) and metabolic analysis based on glucose consumption and lactate production. Samples of not frozen cultured epithelium (Group B) were also tested for viability and the results obtained were used as comparison parameter for the variation of viability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical analysis between the group A and B indicate that the mean age of the donors (p=0.51) and the culture time (p=1.18) showed no statistical difference. In 30 days we obtained 37% of the original viability of cultured epithelium, 25% at six months and one year, less than 15%. This trend was confirmed statistically with a reduction of approximately 1.8% of the original viability epithelium cultured every 30 days of storage. In the analysis by lactate production, similar results were observed. In the analysis by the glucose consumption results were not significant. The viability indices show statistically significant difference between the group A and B (p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although cryopreserved cultured epithelium showed significant reduction of viability, all samples remained viable. It was also found that the viability of cryopreserved cultured epithelial decreased as a function of storage time.
authors: Wandir Antônio
authors: WA
authors: Schiozer
authors: Rolf
authors: R
authors: Gemperli
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Mühlbauer
authors: Alexandre Mendonça
authors: AM
authors: Munhoz
authors: Marcus Castro
authors: MC
authors: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D064591:Allografts / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000502:physiology; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003470:Culture Media; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012867:Skin; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D014022:Tissue Survival / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D003470:Culture Media