[Experimental studies of the correlation of morphologic endothelial cell findings and endothelial pump function]

In our experiments corneal endothelial cell morphology after Alizarin Red and Trypan Blue staining and endothelial pump function in a perfusion chamber were investigated. As a model for morphologically degenerated tissue we used corneas that had been cryopreserved with two different methods. In control groups 1) fresh, 2) one day organ cultured and 3) corneas without endothelium were evaluated. Morphologic evaluation showed degenerations (enlarged mononucleated cells, giant cells, disseminated necrotic areas) in cryopreserved corneas as compared with control groups. However, in perfusion experiments morphologically damaged tissue showed the same deswelling pattern as organ-cultured corneas. The results show that a morphologic evaluation seems to be a more precise criterion for the quality of the tissue than the investigation of the corneal pump function in a perfusion chamber.