Abstract
Purpose: :
Optisol GS and Organ Culture medium are currently used as storage media for donor corneas. Little is known about potential alterations that may occur in these two media during corneal storage prior to transplantation. The purpose of the study was to examine the level of the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) in the upper and lower layers of the storage media, Optisol GS and Organ Culture, during storage of corneas for transplantation.
Methods: :
Sixty human corneas were stored either in Optisol GS or in Organ culture medium, for 7-14 days prior to transplantation. At different times (0, 7 and 14 days) medium was taken out form the upper and lower layers of the storage containers, and MDA were measured by HPLC.
Results: :
Measurement of the lipid peroxidation product MDA in the upper and lower layers of Optisol GS and Organ Culture medium, showed higher amounts of MDA in lower layers when compared to upper layers (p < 0,05), as well as increasing levels of MDA at longer storage time (p < 0,05).
Conclusions: :
Measurements of MDA in Optisol GS and Organ Culture medium after 0, 7, and 14 days revealed increasing levels during storage and a higher accumulation in the lower layers of the medium. This observation calls for a closer examination of donor cornea storage systems devices and their influence on cell damage during storage.
Keywords: cornea: storage