Cytoprotection by stabilization of cell membranes.

The major constraint that limits tissue storage is the accumulation of cellular damage or wounding by the storage conditions and consequential loss of tissue viability. The noun wound is used in the medical field to refer to a disruption of tissue integrity that follows trauma. Subsequent wound healing results from exposure to supraphysiological forces or is the consequence of action by reactive chemical agents.1,2 Cell wounding results from exposure to supraphysiological forces or is the consequence of action by reactive chemical agents. Cell wounds result from alteration of cellular moleculary structure or disruption of molecular assemblies such as membranes. Unlike tissue healing, the healing of cellular wounds occurs by neighboring biomolecular interactions. Like tissue wound healing, cellular wound healing involves accelerated processes that are constitutively expressed in routine physiologic repair of cellular structures.3 This discussion relates to pharmaceutical strategies that are useful for augmenting the cellular healing response.