Objective: To observe the effect of tannin fixation and subsequent treatment on improving the stability of tannin cross-linked bovine jugular vein storage solution, as well as on the thermal stability of blood vessels, anti-calcification ability, biomechanical properties and fiber structure.
METHODS: Fresh bovine jugular veins were fixed with glutaraldehyde (glutaraldehyde group), cross-linked with tannin (tannin group), and subsequently treated with tannin cross-linking (experimental group), and the rat model was implanted subcutaneously. Calcium content, heat shrinkage temperature, breaking strength and elongation at break, and histopathological examination were evaluated.
Results: All indexes in the research group were better than those in the glutaraldehyde group (P<0.05); compared with the tannin group, the color of the storage solution in the experimental group did not change, the heat shrinkage temperature decreased, and the calcium content on 21 d increased slightly , 60 d calcium content was slightly lower (P<0.01), there="" was="" no="" statistical="" difference="" in="" the="" mechanical="" strength="" of="" two="" groups="" p="">0.05), and the collagen fibers and elastic fibers of the two groups maintained good integrity.
Conclusion: Tannin cross-linking post-treatment can improve the stability of the storage solution, restore the flexibility of bovine jugular vein vessels, and maintain the vascular anti-calcification ability, tissue strength and integrity of fiber structure.