Reversal of suppressed metabolism in prolonged cold preserved cartilage

Abstract

Chondrocytes in cold preserved cartilage are metabolically suppressed. The goal of this study was to address this metabolic suppression and seek ways to reverse it. Specifically, we examined the roles of rewarming protocols and nitric oxide (NO) in this metabolic suppression. Bovine and canine full-thickness articular cartilage explants were cultured under various temperature conditions, and NO production, proteoglycan (PG) synthesis, and cell viability were measured. Nitric oxide was shown to be negatively correlated with PG synthesis following abrupt rewarming of cold preserved osteochondral allografts. Gradual rewarming of the allograft tissue decreased NO production with higher PG synthesis. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) led to a decrease in NO production and a concomitant increase in PG synthesis. We were able to partially reverse metabolic suppression of cold preserved osteochondral allograft material with gradual rewarming and decrease NO production with NOS inhibition. Chondrocytes in cold preserved allograft material may be metabolically suppressed predisposing the graft to failure in vivo. Minimizing this loss of metabolic function by gradual graft rewarming and decreasing NO production by NOS inhibition at the time of graft implantation may have implications on graft survival in vivo. ß

Damages to the extracellular matrix in articular cartilage due to cryopreservation by microscopic magnetic resonance imaging and biochemistry

“…For this reason, it is important to understand the implications of this cold storage on the molecular environment in the specimens, because a prolonged storage at the refrigerator temperature can change the tissue/cell properties in many ways [8–11]. In clinical treatment of large joint defects in humans, fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation is a well-established technique [12,13].…”

Nonfrozen Preservation of Articular Cartilage by Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Reversibly Regulating Cell Cycle and NF-κB Expression

“…16 The published clinical studies reflect the situation where grafts were harvested, stored in lactated Ringer's solution at 48C, and transplanted between 2 and 5 days from the time of harvest. 17,18 However, although the viability of cold-preserved articular cartilage is significantly diminished within 1 week, [19][20][21] appropriate serology testing to minimize the chances for the disease transmission requires a minimum of 2 weeks. 16 In this study, a storage solution containing EGCG was used to test the hypothesis that cold preservation injury of articular cartilages can be prevented by EGCG-mediated reversible regulation of cell cycle.…”

Cold preservation of rat osteochondral tissues in two types of solid organ preservation solution, culture medium and saline

“…ROS thus have an adverse effect on articular cartilage storage. Previous studies of organ and tissue preservation also demonstrated that ROS were generated during cold preservation and rewarming (Bartels-Stringer et al 2003;Pylawka et al 2008;Rauen and de Groot 1998). In the present study, therefore, the reason why chondrocyte deformity was observed in the deep layer of articular cartilage may be that ROS were generated there, promoted by the cold environment and subsequent rewarming.…”