Effect of inert gas xenon on the functional state of nucleated cells of peripheral blood during freezing

A new method of preservation of nucleated cells in an electric refrigerator with the use of xenon is proposed. After slow freezing of an object and cryoanabiosis at −80°C for 1 day, cell membranes of more than 60% leukocytes were resistant to a vital dye. In 85% of granulocytes, the baseline level of lysosomal cationic proteins was retained, the lipid peroxidation intensity decreased, and the antioxidant activity of enzyme systems regulating the content of peroxides was also reduced. Cryopreservation of biological objects in inert gases is a promising direction in clinical practice and can become an alternative to the conventional method using liquid nitrogen.