title: 1-O-methyl-rac-glycerol: a new agent for the cryopreservation of mononuclear cells.
abstract: 1-O-methyl-rac-glycerol (1-O-MG), also known as 3-methoxy-1,2-propanediol is a lipophilic derivative of glycerol, and has been studied as a new cryoprotective agent (CPA) for mononuclear blood cells (MNC), a well-established experimental model in cryopreservation. The chemical modification of the glycerol molecule results in improved cryobiological properties, such as membrane permeability, thus allowing easier handling in the freeze/thaw process. The optimum preincubation period for MNC and 1-O-MG before freezing is 5 min at 4 degree C, resulting in 86% recovery of viable cells, whereas optimal recovery of glycerol-frozen MNC is only guaranteed after 30 min of preincubation at room temperature (74% viable recovery). The optimal concentration of 1-O-MG is 10% (v/v). Although this new agent offers no improvement in cryoprotective properties over dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) there may be possible pharmacological advantages when used in humans. It is, however, obviously superior to glycerol with regard to its permeation kinetics. 1-O-MG might therefore also be of interest in the cryoprotection of other hematopoietic cells and biological tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Clinics of Goettingen, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schuff-Werner
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Unger
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Nagel
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eibl
mesh_terms: D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D002470:Cell Survival; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide; D005615:Freezing; D005990:Glycerol; D005995:Glyceryl Ethers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D005995:Glyceryl Ethers; C058902:1-O-methylglycerol; D005990:Glycerol; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide