Al+++ binding studies and metallic cation effects on bioprosthetic heart valve calcification in rat subdermal model

Abstract

Al+++ preincubation has been shown to inhibit calcification of glutaraldehyde pretreated bovine pericardium calcification in the rat subdermal model. This study was designed to assess in vitro the Al+++ (10-1 M, 10-2 M, 10-3 M preincubations) binding characteristics of glutaraldehyde pretreated bovine pericardium. In vivo studies assessed the ability of AlCl3 (10-1 M, 10-2 M, 10-3 M) preincubations to inhibit calcification after 21 and 60 days in the rat subdermal model. Other in vivo studies investigated the ability of other metallic cations (Fe+++, La+++, and Ga+++) used as a pretreatment to inhibit glutaraldehyde pretreated bovine pericardium calcification after a 21 day rat subdermal implant. Lyophylized glutaraldehyde pretreated bovine pericardium samples were analyzed for Al+++ by neutron activation. Study results are discussed.