Conclusions
Parathyroid tissue retains viability, calcium-sensing capacity, and in vivo engraftment capability after en bloc cadaveric resection, ex vivo dissection, and extended cold storage.
Methods
Cellular viability, calcium-responsive hormone secretion, and gland xenograft survival were assessed in a series of deceased donor parathyroid glands following a two-stage procurement procedure recently developed by our group (en bloc cadaveric dissection with subsequent gland isolation after transport to the laboratory).
Results
Parathyroid glands resected in this manner and stored up to 48 h in 4°C University of Wisconsin (UW) media retained in vitro viability with no induction of hypoxic stress (HIF-1α) or apoptotic (caspase-3) markers. Ex vivo storage did not significantly affect parathyroid gland calcium sensing capacity, with comparable calcium EC50 values and suppression of parathyroid hormone secretion at high ambient calcium concentrations. The isolated glands engrafted readily, vascularizing rapidly in vivo following transplantation into mice. Conclusions: Parathyroid tissue retains viability, calcium-sensing capacity, and in vivo engraftment capability after en bloc cadaveric resection, ex vivo dissection, and extended cold storage.