Effect of DMSO and a freezing-thawing process on the 'ecto-ATPase' and AChE activities of human platelets

The activity of two membrane-bound enzymes of human platelets subjected to DMSO and a freezing-thawing process were analysed. Following treatment of fresh platelets with DMSO (5-20%) quantitative differences of AChE and 'ecto-ATPase' activities were seen. After cryopreservation of platelets in 5% DMSO the enzymatic activities of AChE and Mg2+-ATPase were no different from those obtained for fresh platelets. The lack of any changes in the activities of the enzymes of frozen platelets subjected to a washing procedure to remove DMSO, indicates that the mechanism of the DMSO-induced effect is reversible and that freezing-thawing process had no additional detrimental effects.