Is domestic polyester suitable for plastination of thin brain slices?

Plastination is a technique used to preserve biological tissues while retaining most of their original appearance. In the technique, developed by Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977, specimens were impregnated with a polymer, such as silicone, epoxy, or polyester. Considered the most suitable material fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brazilian journal of medical and biological research 2023-01, Vol.56 (1), p.e12566-e12566
Main Authors: Juvenato, L S, Monteiro, Y F, Miranda, R P, Bittencourt, A P S V, Bittencourt, A S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Atrophy
Biological specimens
BIOLOGY
Brain
Brain slice preparation
Brazilian marketing
Cattle
Chemical properties
Dehydration
Domestic polyester
Feasibility studies
MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL
Methods
Nervous tissue
Neuroimaging
Physiological aspects
Plastination
Plastination - methods
Polyesters
Polymers
Silicones
Storage
Unsaturated polyester
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Summary:Plastination is a technique used to preserve biological tissues while retaining most of their original appearance. In the technique, developed by Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977, specimens were impregnated with a polymer, such as silicone, epoxy, or polyester. Considered the most suitable material for brain plastination, polyester has a wide application in teaching and research compared with imaging techniques. The materials for plastination are usually imported from Germany and more expensive than domestic products. If domestic polymers were to enter the market it would favor the expansion of plastination in Brazil. Hence, this study evaluated the feasibility of using domestic polyesters to replace the usual Biodur® (P40) in plastination of brain slices. For this evaluation, 2-mm-thick sections of bovine brains were prepared and plastinated with domestic polyester. Slices were compared before impregnation and after curing using standardized photographs taken after dehydration and after curing. Plastination followed the standard protocol: fixation, dehydration, forced impregnation, and curing. Fifteen brain slices were plastinated with each polyester (P40, P18, and C1-3). There was no significant difference in the percent shrinkage between groups after plastination of P18 and P40, but the curing time of Cristalan© polymer was too short for impregnation. Therefore, no initiator was used for C polymers impregnation. Thus, domestic polyester P18 was a viable option for the process.
ISSN:0100-879X
1414-431X
1414-431X
1678-4510
DOI:10.1590/1414-431X2023e12566