Influence of Freezing and Low Molecular Weight Cryoprotectants on Microsomal Membrane Structure: A Study by Multiparametric Fluorescent Probe

The influence of low molecular weight cryoprotectants (CPs) such as glycerol (GL), 1,2-propanediol (PD) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on the structure of rat liver microsomal membranes on the stages of equilibration and upon freezing up to −196°C was studied using a multiparametric fluorescent probe of flavonol nature. It was estimated that the studied CPs have individual concentration ranges defining low amplitude of their action on biomembranes. An exceeding of these ranges strongly increases the violation of membrane native structure already at the stage of incubation with CPs, strengthening it during the freezing procedure. According to the perturbation effect on microsomal membranes the studied CPs can be arranged in a sequence: DMSO > PD > GL.