Study of the calcification of bovine pericardium: analysis of the implication of lipids and proteoglycans.

A major problem with cardiac bioprosthesis is the calcification of the tissue used in their manufacture, an event which may be promoted by multiple factors. A subcutaneously implanted model was used to determine, by selective extractions of proteoglycans and lipids, the role played by these compounds in the calcification of the bovine pericardial tissue used in the construction of some biological valves. The selective extraction of proteoglycans resulted in a great accumulation of calcium salts in the tissue, which, moreover, had a reduced hydrothermal stability. On the other hand, lipid extraction produced no modification in the stability of the tissue and resulted in a lesser calcium accumulation than in the control group. Proteoglycans and lipids may, therefore, be implicated in mineralization of the pericardial tissue.