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The effect of cryopreservation on cell viability and hormone secretion in human parathyroid tissue
M F Herrera1, C S Grant, J A van Heerden
1Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
Background:
To explain the decreased success of cryopreserved versus fresh parathyroid autotransplants, we investigated the effect of cryopreservation on parathyroid function.
Methods:
Parathyroid cryopreserved tissue from surgical specimens of 18 patients was analyzed in a comparative fashion with 10 fresh abnormal glands. Cell viability was evaluated by a double-fluorescence technique, and parathyroid hormone secretion was detected from individually dispersed parathyroid cells with the reverse hemolytic plaque assay. The plaque area reflected the amount of parathyroid hormone secreted by each cell, and the percentage of plaque-forming cells represented the number of secreting cells. Feedback regulatory mechanisms remained intact for both fresh and cryopreserved tissue as shown over a wide range of calcium concentrations.
Results:
The percentage of viable cells from fresh and cryopreserved tissue was always in excess of 88%. No significant difference was noted in the percentage of plaque-forming cells nor the amount of hormone released per individual cell comparing fresh and cryopreserved glands (6 months to 2 years). Specifically, at physiologic calcium concentrations no significant differences existed in the secretory behavior between fresh and cryopreserved tissue.
Conclusions:
Without showing decreased viability or parathyroid hormone secretion after cryopreservation, the cause of graft failure in cryopreserved tissue still remains unknown.