The Effect of Dimethyl Sulfoxide on In Vitro Platelet Function

Charles A. Schiffer; Caroline L. Whitaker; Morton Schmukler; Joseph Aisner; Steven L. Hilbert

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1648027

Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Table of Contents

Thromb Haemost 1976; 36(01): 221-229
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1648027

Original Article

Schattauer GmbH

The Effect of Dimethyl Sulfoxide on In Vitro Platelet Function^[*]

Charles A. Schiffer

¹Clinical Oncology Branch and the Laboratory of Pharmacology, National Cancer Institute, Baltimore Cancer Research Center, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201

²Baltimore Rh Typing Laboratory, 513 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201.

,

Caroline L. Whitaker

¹Clinical Oncology Branch and the Laboratory of Pharmacology, National Cancer Institute, Baltimore Cancer Research Center, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201

²Baltimore Rh Typing Laboratory, 513 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201.

,

Morton Schmukler

¹Clinical Oncology Branch and the Laboratory of Pharmacology, National Cancer Institute, Baltimore Cancer Research Center, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201

²Baltimore Rh Typing Laboratory, 513 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201.

,

Joseph Aisner

¹Clinical Oncology Branch and the Laboratory of Pharmacology, National Cancer Institute, Baltimore Cancer Research Center, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201

²Baltimore Rh Typing Laboratory, 513 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201.

,

Steven L. Hilbert

¹Clinical Oncology Branch and the Laboratory of Pharmacology, National Cancer Institute, Baltimore Cancer Research Center, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201

²Baltimore Rh Typing Laboratory, 513 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201.

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

Although dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has been used extensively as a cryopreservative for platelets there are few studies dealing with the effect of DMSO on platelet function. Using techniques similar to those employed in platelet cryopreservation platelets were incubated with final concentrations of 2-10% DMSO at 25° C. After exposure to 5 and 10% DMSO platelets remained discoid and electron micrographs revealed no structural abnormalities. There was no significant change in platelet count. In terms of injury to platelet membranes, there was no increased availability of platelet factor-3 or leakage of nucleotides, 5 hydroxytryptamine (5HT) or glycosidases with final DMSO concentrations of 2.5, 5 and 10% DMSO. Thrombin stimulated nucleotide and 5HT release was reduced by 10% DMSO. Impairment of thrombin induced glycosidase release was noted at lower DMSO concentrations and was dose related. Similarly, aggregation to ADP was progressively impaired at DMSO concentrations from 1-5% and was dose related. After the platelets exposed to DMSO were washed, however, aggregation and release returned to control values. Platelet aggregation by epinephrine was also inhibited by DMSO and this could not be corrected by washing the platelets. DMSO-plasma solutions are hypertonic but only minimal increases in platelet volume (at 10% DMSO) could be detected. Shrinkage of platelets was seen with hypertonic solutions of sodium chloride or sucrose suggesting that the rapid transmembrane passage of DMSO prevented significant shifts of water. These studies demonstrate that there are minimal irreversible alterations in in vitro platelet function after short-term exposure to DMSO.

Full Text

References

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The Effect of Dimethyl Sulfoxide on In Vitro Platelet Function[*]

The Effect of Dimethyl Sulfoxide on In Vitro Platelet Function^[*]