Effect of Preservation on Changes in the Volume of Corneal Endothelial Cells in an Environment with a High Concentration of Potassium

Abstract

The experimental study of preservation length on the effect of high potassium concentration in the medium on the volume of human corneal endothelial cells was done. The results of the study of individual samples of fragments of donor material and the values calculated using joined data after hypothermic preservation for 4 and 10 days are presented. The increase of the time when cornea samples are kept in preservation medium (Eusol-C) at 4°C led to a decrease in the average value (M ± SEM) of cell swelling indicator (Q) in a potassium medium from 1.055 ± 0.001; n = 982 to 1.014 ± 0.001; n = 338; after 4 and 10 days, respectively. Student’s t-test for independent samples showed a high degree of significance for the difference between these values (p = 2E-76). Identification of the proportion of cells capable to swell in a medium with a high content of potassium ions (Q ≥ 1), reflecting the electrogenic activity in these cells, showed a decrease of this indicator in the studied groups with increasing duration of preservation (94.3% and 56.8% after 4 and 10 days, respectively). Based on the results of the study, it is suggested that the values of endothelial cells swelling in a potassium environment can serve as indicators of the cells’ ability to restore electrogenic transport. It is concluded that the study of cell swelling in a medium with a high content of potassium ions can provide information for predicting the functionality of the graft.