The addition of albumin improves Schwann cells viability in nerve cryopreservation

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to establish a valid protocol for nerve cryopreservation, and to evaluate if the addition of albumin supposed any advantage in the procedure. We compared a traditional cryopreservation method that uses dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as cryoprotectant, to an alternative method that uses DMSO and albumin. Six Wistar Lewis rats were used to obtain twelve 20 mm fragments of sciatic nerve. In the first group, six fragments were cryopreserved in 199 media with 10% DMSO, with a temperature decreasing rate of 1 °C per minute. In the second group, six fragments were cryopreserved adding 4% human albumin. The unfreezing process consisted of sequential washings with saline in the first group, and saline and 20% albumin in the second group at 37 °C until the crioprotectant was removed. Structural evaluation was performed through histological analysis and electronic microscopy. The viability was assessed with the calcein-AM (CAM) and 4',6-diamino-2-fenilindol (DAPI) staining. Histological results showed a correct preservation of peripheral nerve architecture and no significant differences were found between the two groups. However, Schwann cells viability showed in the CAM-DAPI staining was significantly superior in the albumin group. The viability of Schwann cells was significantly increased when albumin was added to the nerve cryopreservation protocol. However, no significant structural differences were found between groups. Further studies need to be performed to assess the cryopreserved nerve functionality using this new method.

Establishment of a new classification system for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy based on unsupervised machine learning

“…In addition to more patients with CKD in Cluster 3, hypoalbuminemia, possibly caused by nephrotic syndrome, malnutrition, or chronic inflammation, 26 was also commonly present in Cluster 3. Albumin modulates immune responses, reduces oxidative stress, and prevents the apoptosis of Schwann cells 27–29 . In patients with diabetic neuropathy, the serum level of albumin is associated with the severity of neuropathy 30 .…”

Intraneural IFG-1 in Cryopreserved Nerve Isografts Increase Neural Regeneration and Functional Recovery in the Rat Sciatic Nerve

“…6,7,10 The protocol used in this study showed 74.9% of Schwann cell viability after cryopreservation, and a significant increase of viability when albumin is added to the cryopreservation protocol of the nerve grafts. 16 As for the cryoprotectants used in nerve cryopreservation, Zalewski et al 9 established that the mixture of DMSO and formamide is superior to glycerol as a cryoprotectant for Schwann cells.…”

Development of Chitosan/Gelatin-Based Hydrogels Incorporated with Albumin Particles

“…The changes are slight but consistent with the results presented by other researchers. For example, Gonzalez Porto et al proved that the addition of albumin increased the viability of Schwann cells (cells building the myelin sheaths around peripheral nerves) [51]. In turn, Ashman et al indicated that the albumin stimulates the proliferation of proximal tubular epithelial cells [52].…”