Fe3+ preincubation has been shown to inhibit pathologic calcification of glutaraldehyde preserved bovine pericardium (GPBP) in the short-term rat subdermal model (21 days). This study was designed to test the long-term antical-cification efficacy of Fe3+ in the same model. Glutaraldehyde preserved bovine pericardium was preincubated (1 hr, 25°C) in 0.1M FeCI3, 0.01M FeCI3, or 0.05M HEPES, then implanted subdermally in weanling male rats (40–60 gm) for 21, 60, 90, and 120 days. At explant, Fe3+ and Ca2+ levels were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Fe3+ effectively inhibited calcification in both experimental groups compared to control through the longest implant (Ca2+ lev-els, 120 day implant: 0.1M FeCI3 = 46.85 ± 17.45 μg/mg; 0.01M FeCl3 = 17.31 ± 7.38 μg/mg; control = 258.04 ± 15.71). Measurement of explanted GPBP Fe3+ levels showed that tissue Fe3+ levels of at least 7.28 ± 0.70 μg/mg were required to effectively inhibit calcification after a 120-day implant. There was no evidence of Fe3+ impairment of rat growth. In conclusion, Fe3+ pretreatment of GPBP significantly inhibited calcification after long-term (120 day) rat subdermal implant.
©1991 American Society of Artificial Internal Organs
