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Viability of Human Articular Chondrocytes Harvested Postmortem: Changes with Time and Temperature of In Vitro Culture Conditions
Author(s) -
Alibegović Armin,
Balažic Jože,
Petrovič Danijel,
Hribar Gorazd,
Blagus Rok,
Drobnič Matej
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.12330
Subject(s) - chondrocyte , andrology , postmortem changes , in vitro , confocal laser scanning microscopy , viability assay , time of death , medicine , anatomy , pathology , biology , cartilage , biomedical engineering , toxicology , biochemistry
Different studies of long‐term chondrocytes viability have shown a gradual reduction as a function of time and ambient temperature. The aim of our in vitro study was to establish chondrocyte postmortem viability curves for 4°C, 11°C, 23°C, 35°C during 63 days after the donors' death. Osteochondral cylinders were procured from the knees of 16 male donors (20–47 years), stored in preservation media that was not changed, and analyzed in 3‐day intervals using a confocal laser scanning microscope. A significant influence of time on viability was found from Day 9 ( p = 0.0029) and onwards ( p < 0.0001). The lowest overall chondrocyte viability was at 35°C, followed by 4°C ( p < 0.0001). The conditions used in this in vitro analysis suggest that similar viabilities may occur while in situ in the decedent. Further studies of chondrocyte viability from individuals with known postmortem intervals may show premise to help evaluate time since death in the late postmortem interval.