This study sought to evaluate the use of tetrazolium salt XTT reduction as an indicator of valvular viability in a cryoprocessed porcine cardiac homograft model, The XTT tetrazolium assays was based on the metabolic reduction of Sodium 3'-[1-(phenylamino-carbonyl)-3,4-Tetrazolium]-bis(4- methoxy-6-nitro) benzene sulfonic acid hydrate, The relationship between XTT reduction and: (1) leaflet tissue with various weight (n = 24); (2) morphometric evaluation (n = 30); (3) cadaveric ischemic intervals (n = 30); (4) freeze-thawing (n = 30) has been studied. The measurement of XTT reduction were significantly correlated with the weight of cardiac leaflets, in the range of 30 to 180 mg (y = 0.015x-0.063; r = 0.99). Compared to morphometry of valvular damage, the reduction of mitochondrial enyzmatic activity in cardiac leaflets was correlated with matrix cells without irreversible damage (r = 0.89, P < 0.005), The depletion of XTT reduction occurred dependent of ischemic time intervals, In general, freeze-thawing reduced more than 20% activity of mitochondrial dehydrogenase. We concluded that XTT tetrazolium assay is highly sensitive to determine valvular injury, The study demonstrated its potential for testing of cryopreserved cardiac valve. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.
