Application evaluation of a polydimethylsiloxane low-viscosity for cryopreservation and radiation sterilization of human cadaveric vascular allografts

Aim: to investigate potential cryo- and radioprotective properties of a polydimethylsiloxane of low viscosity to provide safe and reliable cryopreservation and radiation sterilization of human cadaveric vascular allografts. Material and methods. A consecutive experimental set-up was carried out to establish polydimethylsiloxane (further — PDMS) protective endocellular properties. For this purpose a high-densitymesenchymal stem cells suspension was cryopreserved with 10% DMSO solution; PDMS exocellular protective properties were assessed by cyclic cryoconservation of ^femoral artery segments, while PDMS potential radioprotectiveproperties were assessed by gamma irradiation — induced sterilization of 3 cryopreserved femoral artery segments with gross length about 3cm, and for control grafts a slightly changed protocol with glycerin was used. In this study the dynamic viscosity of all cryopreserved vessels was analyzed with using specially designed experimental device, also electron scanning microscopy with lanthanide cells staining and routine hematoxylin — eosin cell staining were applied. Results. We have demonstrated a prominentexocellular protective effect of PDMS confirmed by a SEM and histological results, and also its mediated radioprotective effect, in particular because of its safer preliminary cryopreservation procedure. Conclusion. Use of PDMS for a cryopreservation and gamma sterilization showed its rationality, however requires further modification of protocols and additional researches.