Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated that trehalose possesses protective effects on cyropreserved sternum. But the mechanism of action remains poorly understood.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of trehalose on bcl-2 and bax mRNA expression in cryopreserved sternum.
METHODS: Four groups of freshly prepared solution were used: low-potassium dextran (LPD), LPD + dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), LPD + trehalose, LPD + DMSO + trehalose. Rat sternum was cut and then immediately cryopreserved in the tubes containing each group of solution. Fresh rat sternum tissue and 4 groups of samples cryopreserved for 120 days were taken and bcl-2 and bax mRNA expression in fresh and cryopreserved sternum was detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: bcl-2 mRNA expression in the LPD + trehalose group was significantly higher, but bax mRNA expression was significantly lower, than in the LPD, LPD + DMSO groups (both P < 0.01). LPD + DMSO + trehalose group showed highest bcl-2 mRNA expression and lowest bax mRNA expression, which were basically similar to fresh bone tissue   (P > 0.05). These findings indicate that trehalose may protect cell activity in cryopreserved sternum by enhancing bcl-2 mRNA expression and inhibiting bax mRNA expression, and trehalose together with DMSO shows better protective effects.