Preservation of molecular structure of arterial grafts in pulverized sodium chloride: an experimental study

There is a desperate need for preserved human arteries to be transplanted in infected areas of ischemic lower limbs. Cryopreserved arteries are fragile evoking strong allogeneic reactions. We have been searching for a preservation method that spares arterial wall structure and decreases its antigenicity. LEW and BN rat segments of aorta were harvested, immersed in pulverized dehydrated sodium chloride, and stored for 1 week to 3 months. Thereafter, they were desalinated and transplanted side-to-side to the abdominal aorta and side-to-side to the aorta-IVC (AV fistula). We performed staining for actin, elastic fibers, collagen (trichrome), CD31, endothelial cells (HIS52), MHC class II. Popliteal lymph node reactions were tested after subcutaneous implantation of an aortic fragment into the paw. We measured tensile strength and maximum intraluminal pressures. The preserved fragments of syngeneic aorta retained their cellular, stromal, and molecular structures. After transplantation, they did not evoke any reaction around the graft. The allogeneic fragments brought about only minor recipient responses, remaining patent and pulsatile for 3 months. The tensile strength and maximum intraluminal pressures did not significantly differ from freshly harvested, transplanted aortic segments.