Test Catageory
فئة التحليل
Histopathology
Refrence Books
كتب مراجع
1. Bancroft’s Histopathological Techniques
Skills Required
المهارات المطلوبة
1. Histology
2. Staining
Video Resources
مصادر فيديو
Principle
The Alcian Blue staining technique utilizes a cationic (positively charged) dye that operates optimally at a low pH of 2.5. This specific pH allows the dye to form salt linkages with the acid groups of acid mucins, which are negatively charged.
This specific interaction between the Alcian Blue dye and acid mucins allows for the selective staining of these substances, making them easily identifiable under a microscope.
Solutions
1. 1-Alcian blue……………………………………………………stain acid mucin
2. 1 g of Alcian blue powder in 3% acetic acid to give 2.5 ph
3. 2-0.5 % aqueous neutral red……………………………………counter stain
4. 0.5 g of neutral red in 100 ml of D.W
Sample Type
The Alcian Blue staining technique can be used on a variety of samples. Here are some examples:
1. Glycosaminoglycans in Cartilages: Alcian Blue is used to stain acidic polysaccharides such as glycosaminoglycans in cartilages1.
2. Mucopolysaccharides: Some types of mucopolysaccharides can be stained using Alcian Blue1.
3. Sialylated Glycocalyx of Cells: The sialylated glycocalyx of cells can also be stained using this technique1.
4. Histological Sections: Alcian Blue has been a popular staining method in histology especially for light microscopy in paraffin embedded sections and in semithin resin sections1.
5. Biopsy Specimen of the Oesophagus and Intestine: Under normal conditions, a biopsy specimen of the oesophagus will have no staining on the Alcian Blue stain test. However, an intestinal biopsy specimen will have intestinal-type of goblet cells that contain acidic mucus, and hence will show positive staining with the Alcian Blue stain2.
6. Human-Medical Cell Diagnosis: The Alcian Blue solution is used for human-medical cell diagnosis and serves the histological investigation of sample material of human origin, for example, histological sections of the intestine or stomach3.
It’s important to note that the sample used depends on the specific substance you are interested in studying.
Procedure
1-Take section to water
2-Stain with alcian blue for 5 min
3-Wash in water
4-Counter stain 2-3 min
5-wash in water
6-Dehydrate-clear- mount in D.P.X
Results
Acid Mucin……………………blue
Nucleus…………………………..red
Notes:
Diagnostic values:
1-Carcinoma of colon
2-Intestinal metaplasia of stomach
Other methods:
1-Azure A metachromatic technique
2-Hales’ dialyzed iron technique
