Evaluation of allogenic nasal cartilage storage media in terms of biosafety and viability.

Cartilage allotransplantation has been employed for years as an effective remedy for cartilage-related disorders. The storage conditions and duration play a critical role in preserving the quality of fresh human nasal allografts. In this study, human nasal cartilages were stored in a designated medium for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks at 4 °C, and their cell viability, biomechanical properties, structural integrity, and sterility were evaluated. Cell viability remained over 70% for a duration of 12 weeks with only a gradual decline over time. Throughout the duration of the experiment, no microbiological contamination was identified in the storage media. The Young's modulus remained above 15 MPa up to 6 weeks, indicating maintained mechanical integrity during early storage. Histological analysis demonstrated preservation of chondrocyte morphology and extracellular matrix structure up to 8 weeks, with gradual structural changes observed thereafter. These results indicate that the storage medium successfully maintains nasal cartilage viability, sterility, and functional characteristics for prolonged durations, marking the longest reported storage period at 4 °C. The results emphasize the possible use of nasal cartilage as a clinically viable substitute for articular cartilage in transplantation applications.