Quantification of Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Lipid Mediators in Long-Term Cryopreserved and Freeze-Dried Preserved Human Amniotic Membrane

The aim of this study was to compare concentrations of endogenous N-acylethanolamine (NAE) lipid mediators—palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), oleoylethanolamide (OEA), and anandamide (AEA)—in fresh, decontaminated, cryopreserved, and freeze-dried amniotic membrane (AM) allografts, thereby determining whether AM’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory efficiency related to NAEs persists during storage. The concentrations of NAEs were measured using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Indirect fluorescent immunohistochemistry was used to detect the PEA PPAR-α receptor. The concentrations of PEA, OEA, and AEA were significantly higher after decontamination. A significant decrease was found in cryopreserved AM compared to decontaminated tissue for PEA but not for OEA and AEA. However, significantly higher values for all NAEs were detected in cryopreserved samples compared to fresh tissue before decontamination. The freeze-dried AM had similar values to decontaminated AM with no statistically significant difference. The nuclear staining of the PPAR-α receptor was clearly visible in all specimens. The stability of NAEs in AM after cryopreservation was demonstrated under tissue bank storage conditions. However, a significant decrease, but still higher concentration of PEA compared to fresh not decontaminated tissue, was found in cryopreserved, but not freeze-dried, AM. Results indicate that NAEs persist during storage in levels sufficient for the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. This means that cryopreserved AM allografts released for transplant purposes before the expected expiration (usually 3–5 years) will still show a strong analgesic effect. The same situation was confirmed for AM lyophilized after one year of storage. This work thus contributed to the clarification of the analgesic effect of NAEs in AM allografts.