Abstract: 【Abstract】 Objective To detect the secretory function of the parathyroid tissue after cryopreservation, in order to provide the possibility of autotransplantation in patients with persistent hypocalcemia after total parathyroidectomy (PTX).   Methods Parathyroid tissues were rapidly cryopreserved after isolation from the patients with renal secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). The tissues were thawed after one and three months, and then cultured in vitro to observe the survival of the tissues by morphological examination and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) assay. Results We collected parathyroid tissues from seven cases. Parathyroid tissues were confirmed by morphological examination and iPTH assay. The thawed tissues still presented secretory function. There was no difference in secretory function between frozen and fresh tissues (P>0.05). Similar secretory curves with peak at fifth to tenth days were found from frozen and fresh tissues. Transmission electron microscopy showed that integrated cellular ultrastructure was found in fresh parathyroid tissue as well as in recovered parathyroid cells after cryopreservation. Conclusions Secretory function is still presented in thawed parathyroid tissues after being frozen for one to three months, demonstrating the availability of cryopreserved parathyroid tissue for re-transplantation.

Key words: Secondary hyperparathyroidism, Tissue culture, Autotransplantation, iPTH