American scientists from Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts have developed a solution for long-term storage of frozen hearts and other organs awaiting transplantation. The researchers selected the optimal combination of chemical compounds using zebrafish, a common aquarium fish species. Article published In the scientific journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB).
Using zebrafish as a model, experts conducted the largest and most comprehensive screening ever for cryoprotectants (substances that protect living tissue from the harmful effects of freezing during cryopreservation). They selected the least toxic and most effective ingredients to preserve complex organ systems at -10 °C.
Experiments showed that the heart function of adult fish was preserved after five days of storage.
“Zebrafish is a powerful model system that, despite its many advantages, has never been used in the context of preserving solid organs for transplantation. We hope that this study will encourage other transplant professionals to use this important organism,” said study author Dr. Shannon Tessier.
surgeons before spent The second transplant of a modified pig heart into a human.