OBJECTIVESTo investigate the method of preparing porcine thoracic aortas acellular tissue matrix (ACTM) by trypsin, EDTA and Triton X-100 and to find the best concentration of X-100.

METHODSA total of 56 roots of fresh thoracic aortas (without adventitial tissue) from 80 kg-100 kg tame pigs were divided randomly into > groups, each containing 8 roots. Every vessel was put into a 50 ml centrifugal tube with a solution of 0.1% trypsin + 0.02EDTA in PBS for 24 h. After that, each group was separately immerged into a solution of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 5.0%, 10.0% Triton X-100 for 144 h-240 h. Specimens were taken every 6 h. Specimens were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and observed grossly under the light and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSLight and transmission electron microscopy revealed that ACTM was composed of insoluble collagen, elastin, and some insoluble metamorphic organelles. The best concentration of Triton X-100 was 1% at the time of 176.25 h +/- 5.5 h.

CONCLUSIONSPorcine thoracic aortas ACTM can be obtained successfully through this procedure. Triton X-100 is a good reagent for preparing vessel ACTM.