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Freezing artifact in Muscle Biopsy Specimens ‐ a Novel Approach
Author(s) -
Sandberg Glenn D,
Rushing Elisabeth J,
HorkayneSzakaly Iren
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.2_supplement.586
Subject(s) - biopsy , artifact (error) , limiting , muscle biopsy , needle biopsy , myocyte , materials science , biomedical engineering , pathology , biology , medicine , endocrinology , mechanical engineering , neuroscience , engineering
Objectives: Muscle biopsy is an important diagnostic tool in neuromuscular diseases. However, frozen specimens are subject to artifact that may hinder optimal interpretation. Our goal is to evaluate whether Aedesta ‐ Cell/Tissue Preservation solution (ACTP) reduces artifacts by restoring normal myofiber structure to muscle biopsy specimens and preserving enzymatic activity and immunoreactivity. Materials and methods: We studied five human muscle biopsy specimens, which showed marked freezing artifact limiting evaluation. The specimens were gradually defrosted from −70 to 4 ºC, treated with ACTP. After treatment, each biopsy specimen was evaluated with a standard panel of 8 enzyme histochemical stains and the MHC1 immunohistochemical preparation. Results: Biopsy specimens treated with ACTP solution exhibited fewer ice crystal artifacts. Myofiber structure, enzymatic activity and immunoreactivity were restored compared to their previous state. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that ACTP solution can reverse slow‐freeze artifact and could be beneficial in routine processing of skeletal muscle biopsies. Accordingly, further evaluation of this agent is indicated.