[Research progress on trehalose used in lyophilization of blood cells--review]

Lyophilization is the best method for preservation of blood cells at present. Lyophilized blood cells could be stored at room temperature for long periods of time, while maintaining a high degree of viability. Lyophilized blood cells facilitates transportation and the costs are low. However, the membrane of blood cells is damaged and viability of blood cells is decreased in lyophilization. Trehalose has been shown to protect membrane, proteins and nucleic acids during freezing and desiccation. Now, researchers present a methor for loading blood cells with trehalose. In this paper, damage effect of lyophilization on blood cells, the mechanism of trehalose protection and the experimental studies on trehalose were reviewed.