Abstract
Purpose: :
To ascertain the efficacy of VIASOL in preventing corneal swelling and preserving the cell density and cell viability of corneal endothelial cells. To compare the efficacy of VIASOL to the efficacy of Optisol–GS.
Methods: :
Bovine corneal endothelial cells, (BCE), were seeded and cultured in supplemented DMEM. Upon confluency the DMEM media was exchanged with either VIASOL or Optisol–GS media and cells were stored at 4°C for up to 14 days. Cell viability assays were performed at day 3, 7 and day 14 (n>5). 15 freshly enucleated porcine corneas were stored in VIASOL or Optisol–GS media at 4°C. Endothelial cell density, polymegethism, and pleomorphism measurements were performed by specular microscopy at day 2, 4, 7, and day 14. Corneal thickness was determined by the pachymeter component of the specular microscope. Viability of corneal endothelial cells was determined by sequential AV49 and alizarin red cell staining.
Results: :
The T50, the time at which only 50% of BCE–cells remain viable, for VIASOL is 7 days. The T50 for Optisol–GS is 4 days. The endothelial cell density for corneal tissue stored in VIASOL after 7 and 14 days is 3511 ± 358 and 3748 ± 369 cell/mm2 respectively. The cell density for Optisol–GS after 7 and 14 days is 2855 ± 316 and 2810 ± 440 cells/mm2 respectively. Based on cell staining, 54 ± 12% of corneal endothelium is damaged after 14 days in storage with Optisol–GS compared to 32 ± 11% for VIASOL. Results are statistically significant as determined by a paired Student’s T–test (P<0.05).
Conclusions: :
VIASOL extends the T50 of BCE cells by 3 days over Optisol–GS. At day 7 and day 14 of cell density measurements, VIASOL reduces endothelial cell loss by 24% and 34% respectively, compared to Optisol–GS. VIASOL reduces corneal endothelial damage by 40% compared to Optisol–GS after 14 days of storage. Initial results support the need for continued research. Human cornea studies are in progress.
Keywords: cornea: storage • transplantation • cell survival