GLUTARALDEHYDE TREATED BOVINE PERICARDIUM - CHANGES IN CALCIFICATION DUE TO VITAMINS AND PLATELET INHIBITORS

Cardiovascular calcification, the formation of calcium phosphate depos its in cardiovascular tissue, is a common endstage phenomenon affectin g a wide variety of bioprostheses. The purpose of the present paper is to study the possibility that some antiplatelet drugs (aspirin and pe rsantine) and certain vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin B-6, and vitamin E) and their combinations might prevent the mineralization of glutaralde hyde treated bovine pericardium (GABP) by modifying the pericardial su rface. In this experimental protocol, we used Golomb and Wagner's (199 1) in vitro model for studying GABP calcification and a diffusion cell with 2 compartments for evaluating the diffusion of calcium across th e GAFF. The results showed that a combination of aspirin and vitamins (0.5 mg% aspirin, 1.5 mg% vitamin C, 4 mg% vitamin B-6, and 2 mg% vita min E) in a metastable calcium phosphate solution not only reduced the transport of calcium ions through GABP, but along with the combinatio ns of 0.5 mg% aspirin and 5 mg% persantine also produced significant r eductions in GABP calcification. The exact mechanism of these changes in the calcification of GABP are still unknown. From these in vitro fi ndings, it appears that a combined vitamin therapy with low doses of a spirin may be beneficial for platelet suppression and thereby prevent thrombosis. In addition, the vitamins may modify calcium transport and interfere with the adsorption at the surface, thus reducing GABP calc ification. However, an important question that remains unanswered is w hether this inhibitory effect would continue if the antiplatelet drugs and vitamins were discontinued. For the answer, more in vivo studies are needed to develop applications.