Toxicity of cryoprotective agents at 30°

Abstract

Abstract The toxicity of four cryoprotective agents (glycerol, dimethylsulfoxide, dextran, magnesium ion) as a function of time was assessed at 30° on isolated rabbit atria. Glycerol, 2·0 M, in Ringer solution killed all atria in less than 30 min. Atria tolerated 2·1 M dimethylsulphoxide in Ringer for 1 hr, 0·7 M glycerol in Ringer for 4 hr, 6% (w/v) dextran in saline for 6 hr and 6·6 times 10−2 M magnesium chloride in Ringer for 8 hr. After washing out the cryoprotective agents the tissue was examined histologically and for its response to isoprenaline, MJ-1999 [4,2-(isopropylamino-10-hydroxyethyl)methanesulphonilide, a β-blocking agent] and isoprenaline and ouabain. These tests were the more sensitive indicators of functional integrity.