Compositions and methods for the preservation of living tissues

摘要

The present invention provides solutions and method for preserving biological material that enable organs, tissues and cells to be stored for extended periods of time with minimal loss of biological activity. The inventive solutions may be either (i) substantially isotonic with the biological material to be preserved and are substantially free of univalent oxyanions and of iodide and/or (ii) comprise a first neutral solute having a molecular weight of at least about 335 and a solubility in water of at least about 0.3 M, and a second neutral solute having a molecular weight of less than about 200 and having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties. The inventive solutions preferably contain CaSO4, together with combinations of anions and cations from the protein-stabilizing ends of the Hofmeister series, such as K2SO4. The invention also encompasses pretreatment of the biological material with sodium butyrate prior to the preservation solution.