CRYOPRESERVATION OF HUMAN SKIN WITH PROPANE-1,2-DIOL

The tolerance and cryoprotective effect of propane-1,2-diol on human s kin was evaluated using tetrazolium reductase enzyme activity to asses s tissue viability. The tolerance of human skin was tested by exposing the skin to increasing concentrations of propane-1,2-diol (10, 20, an d 40% v/v), at two permeation temperatures (4 degrees C or room temper ature), in a stepwise manner, to reduce osmotically induced changes in cell volume. There was no evidence of specific toxicity attributable to the cryoprotectant during the permeation period, even at a concentr ation of 40%; however a significant decrease in human skin viability w as observed after freezing and thawing with high concentrations of cry oprotectant. The only useful protocol was that employing a low cooling rate (-1 degrees C min(-1)) with 10 or 20% (v/v) propane-1,2-diol at a low permeation temperature. The data suggest that propane-1,2-diol d oes not produced improved results when compared with other cryoprotect ants used for skin cryopreservation. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.