gms | German Medical Science

102. Jahrestagung der DOG

Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft e. V.

23. bis 26.09.2004, Berlin

HES as continious supplement for organ-culture medium of human corneas?

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author C. Redbrake - Euregio Cornea Bank/DSO-G, Würselen; Augenzentrum Alsdorf
  • G. Altmann - Euregio Cornea Bank/DSO-G, Würselen; Augenzentrum Alsdorf
  • A. Emunds - Euregio Cornea Bank/DSO-G, Würselen
  • O. Arend - Augenzentrum Alsdorf

Evidenzbasierte Medizin - Anspruch und Wirklichkeit. 102. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft. Berlin, 23.-26.09.2004. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2004. Doc04dogFR.09.06

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dog2004/04dog239.shtml

Published: September 22, 2004

© 2004 Redbrake et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en). You are free: to Share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work, provided the original author and source are credited.


Outline

Text

Objective

During organ-culture corneas swell and have to be deswollen prior to transplantation, usually by a medium containing a deswelling substance. Both swelling and deswelling lead to an increased endothelial cell loss. Furthermore, Dextran, the standard deswelling substance is toxic and deposited in the cornea. In recent studies non-toxic HES has shown to be as good as Dextran in dehydrating corneas. Wether HES is suitable as a continious supplement for organ culture and keeps the corneas thin, is the aim of this study.

Methods

30 human corneas were stored in MEM plus 7.5% HES 130 for 7, 15 and 21 days. Endothelial cell count was determined before and after organ-culture. After storage the watercontent as well as the adenosine phosphates were meassured.

Results

Water content was 82,29% after 7 days, 82,98% after 15 days and 81,15% after 21 days. The endothelial cell count decreased for 1,20% after 7 days, 0,60% after 15 days and 4,29% after 21 days. ATP after 7 days was 0,0784 μmol/g dry weight ,0,0905 μmol/g dry weight after 15 days and 0,0813μmol/g dry weight after 21 days.

Conclusions

The water content of corneas stored in HES containing medium remained constant even after 21days of organ-culture. Endothelial cell loss was less than in comparable studies using a standard medium containing 10% FCS, however ATP concentrations were worse. HES 130 keeps the corneas thin and can be used as a continious supplement. It faciliates the handling of corneas during organ-culture, making dehydration before transplantation unnecessary and thus also reducing potential stress factors for the cornea.