Volume 59, Issue 2 pp. 522-528
Technical Note

Viability of Human Articular Chondrocytes Harvested Postmortem: Changes with Time and Temperature of In Vitro Culture Conditions

Armin Alibegović M.D., Ph.D.

Corresponding Author

Armin Alibegović M.D., Ph.D.

Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Additional information and reprint requests:

Armin Alibegović, M.D., Ph.D.

Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Faculty

University of Ljubljana

Korytkova 2

1000 Ljubljana

Slovenia

E-mail: [email protected]

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Jože Balažic M.D., Ph.D.

Jože Balažic M.D., Ph.D.

Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

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Danijel Petrovič M.D., Ph.D.

Danijel Petrovič M.D., Ph.D.

Institute of Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

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Gorazd Hribar Ph.D.

Gorazd Hribar Ph.D.

Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Biotransformation, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

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Rok Blagus Ph.D.

Rok Blagus Ph.D.

Institute of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

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Matej Drobnič M.D., Ph.D.

Matej Drobnič M.D., Ph.D.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Zaloška 9, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

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First published: 06 February 2014
Citations: 14
Financially supported by the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Abstract

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.

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