Human corneal storage in modified McCarey-Kaufman and K-Sol media: Effect on endothelial Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump site density and permeability

Endothelial permeability (Pac) to carboxyfluorescein and Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump site density were determined in human corneas following storage for 4 or 7 days at 4°C in either modified McCarey-Kaufman (mMK) or K-Sol media. Following 4 days of storage, Pac values for mMK-and K-Sol-preserved corneas were not significantly different from those of their prestorage mates. After 7 days of storage, however, corneas stored in K-Sol media showed a significant increase in Pac compared to their prestorage mates, whereas the mMK-stored corneas showed no change in Pac. Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump site density determined using [³H]ouabain was similar to a control group in the K-Sol-stored tissue but higher in the mMK-stored tissue following 7 days of storage. These studies suggest that mMK medium maintains endothelial barrier function and Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump site density at least as well as K-Sol medium through 7 days of corneal storage.