A new technique to prevent rehydration of freeze-dried sections for X-ray microanalysis: Papillary muscles and myocyte specimens

There is considerable interest of the changes in intracellular electrolytes in various pathophysiological states in cardiology. X-ray microanalysis is a useful method to measure the concentration of intracellular elements, and freeze-drying is a required technique for X-ray microanalysis to preserve elements. In this study, we utilized a new technique by which ultrathin sections were evaporated by carbon in an external freeze-dryer after freeze-drying and we were able to obtain clear electron micrographs of papillary muscles and myocytes. Calcium concentrations of mitochondria and cytosol were measured during 120 min ischemia. We showed that mitochondria played a role in intracellular calcium regulation during 30 min ischemia.