EFFECT OF COLD ANOXIA AND CRYOPRESERVATION ON METABOLIC AND CONTRACTILE FUNCTIONS OF HUMAN MAMMARY ARTERY

The ability of human internal mammary artery smooth muscle cells to ma intain histoenzymatic activity and contractile response after various times of cold anoxia prior to and following cryostorage was evaluated. The results showed that the enzyme histochemical status of human mamm ary arteries was largely unchanged after both cold anoxia and cryopres ervation. Neither in fresh nor in cryopreserved mammary arteries did c old anoxia for up to 24 h change maximal contractile responses to pota ssium depolarization and norepinephrine. However, compared to unfrozen controls, the contractile responses were significantly reduced in cry opreserved mammary arteries. In conclusion, after cryopreservation of human mammary arteries, the enzyme activities were globally maintained , whereas the contractile responses were reduced. For up to 24 h after harvesting cold anoxia at 4 degrees C is well tolerated and allows pr eservation of metabolic and functional properties of these arteries. ( C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.