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

The experimental study of preservation length on the effectof high potassium concentration in the medium on the volume of humancorneal endothelial cells was done. The results of the study of individualsamples of fragments of donor material and the values calculatedusing joined data after hypothermic preservation for 4 and 10 daysare presented. The increase of the time when cornea samples arekept in preservation medium (Eusol-C) at 4°C led to a decrease inthe 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 and10 days, respectively. Student’s t-testfor independent samples showed a high degree of significance forthe difference between these values (p =2E-76). Identification of the proportion of cells capable to swellin a medium with a high content of potassium ions (Q ≥ 1), reflecting the electrogenic activityin these cells, showed a decrease of this indicator in the studiedgroups with increasing duration of preservation (94.3% and 56.8%after 4 and 10 days, respectively). Based on the results of thestudy, it is suggested that the values of endothelial cells swellingin a potassium environment can serve as indicators of the cells’ability to restore electrogenic transport. It is concluded thatthe study of cell swelling in a medium with a high content of potassiumions can provide information for predicting the functionality ofthe graft.