CHANGES IN PLATELET FUNCTION AND CELLULAR COMPONENTS OF FROZEN-THAWED-PLATELETS DURING STORAGE AT 22°C FOR 6 HOURS

Platelets derived from platelet pheresis were frozen with 5% dimethylsulfoxide (Me2SO) using a programable freezer at a rate of 1°C/min until -80°C, and then stored in a liquid phase of liquid nitrogen. The function and cellular components of thawed and reconstituted platelets were compared using gel-filtered platelets with those of 5% glycerol. The overall results obtained here indicated that platelets cryopreserved with Me2SO retained higher function and more cellular components than those of platelets cryopreserved with 5% glycerol. Thawed platelets with or without 5% Me2SO were stored at 22°C for 6 hours to investigate effects of presence of Me2SO in platelet suspension. Removal of Me2SO from thawed platelets did not alter significantly the functional and metabolic changes in platelets for up to 6 hours at 22°C.