DETOXIFICATION PROCESS FOR GLUTARALDEHYDE-TREATED BOVINE PERICARDIUM - BIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION

Background and aims of the study: Glutaraldehyde cross-linked bovine p ericardium was post-treated with homocysteic acid in order to bond unr eacted glutaraldehyde groups, and preserved in aldehyde-free solution to reduce the toxicity and calcification potential of the tanned tissu e. The study aim was to verify the efficacy and preservation oi chemic al and mechanical properties of pericardial tissue treated in this way . Methods: Detoxification efficacy was tested by measuring free aldehy de groups and by ire vitro cultivation of human endothelial cells on p ericardial samples. Material stability tests included mechanical chara cterization, shrink temperature measurement, pronase digestion resista nce and amino acid analysis after acid hydrolysis. The effect of treat ment on fatigue resistance was evaluated by monitoring changes in perm eability and compliance caused by 15 x 10(6) cycles of pulsatile stres s. Results: Detoxified samples showed negligible glutaraldehyde residu es and significantly improved endothelial cell proliferation compared with conventionally treated samples. Chemical and mechanical propertie s were similar in detoxified and glutaraldehyde-treated samples. Tissu e fatigue behavior was not modified by homocysteic acid treatment. Con clusion: Homocysteic acid treatment effectively reduces toxicity but d oes not affect the stability of glutaraldehyde cross-linked pericardiu m.