Effects of trehalose on bcl-2 and bax mRNA expression in the cryopreserved sternum / 中国组织工程研究

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 0.05). 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.