X-Message-Number: 31315
From: "J Coetzee MSc" <>
References: <>
Subject: Better Antifreezes
Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2009 14:25:21 -0500

Better Antifreezes To Preserve Donor Organs For Transplantation

ScienceDaily (Dec. 31, 2008) aC” Chemists in Canada have developed a new 
approach for producing more effective medical antifreeze fluids for 
preserving kidneys, hearts, and other organs donated for transplantation. 
These next-generation antifreezes can decrease damage to organs caused by 
ice crystals, and thus prolong the time a donated organ will remain viable 
prior to transplantation. This could increase the number of available organs 
for potential recipients.

Robert N. Ben and colleagues note that the growth of ice crystals is a major 
cause of damage to cells, tissues and organs during cryopreservation, which 
leaves them unusable for transplantation. To address this challenge, the 
researchers developed synthetic antifreeze materials, called C-linked 
antifreeze glycoprotein analogues (C-AFGP). These proteins contain a sugar 
coating and have custom-tailored antifreeze activity.

Now the scientists describe the development of "hydration index" that can be 
used to more reliably predict how prospective antifreeze materials will 
behave. Their index provides a clearer picture of how water molecules 
interact with the sugar component (as well as native AFGP) and affect their 
chemical behavior. This is a key to understanding their ability to resist 
the formation of ice crystals when chilled.

aCC

Journal reference:

Tam et al. Hydration Indexi-,A Better Parameter for Explaining Small Molecule 
Hydration in Inhibition of Ice Recrystallization. Journal of the American 
Chemical Society, 2008; 130 (51): 17494 DOI: 10.1021/ja806284x

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081222081214.htm

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