Alcian blue * PRINCIPLE * Alcian blue is a copper phthalcyanin dye and contains positively charged groups capable of salt linkage with certain polyanions. These polyanions consist of the sulphate and carboxyl radicals of the acid mucins and the phosphate radicals of the nucleic acids that do not react. Consequently, only the acid mucins are stained. By varying the pH of the solution of Alcian blue more information can be gained concerning the types of acid mucin present.Alcian Blue Staining Protocol ‘NovaUitra Special Stain kits Description: Alan blvestains acl mucosubstances and acetic mucins Excesive amount of ron sutoted acidic nucosubstancs ate seen in mesathelomas.certan amounts occu normally In bod vessel wal but increase in ea lesions of aterosclerose Strongly acide ‘hucosubstanceewilbe stained ue nuce wl be stained pink re ana copia wil be stained ple pink Fixation: ain fed paratin embedded seve sections ‘Solitons and Reagents: boat Acid Solution Glacial acetic acd Dstiled weter—— nti, ‘Ain bu, GX. ‘etc ace sokuton ——~ 100 mh Mic wel and adjust to 2S using acetic vid Nucea fast ied —— 019 ‘Aluminum sulfate——— 59 Dsted water 100mm! Dissolve aluminum sufaten water. Add nucle fasted and slowly heat to bol and col Fier and adda gran of thymal asa preservative Procedure: Deparatnze sides and hydrate to cstiled water 1 2. Stominalcin blue solution for 30 mires. 3 Wash in runing tap water for 2 mines, 4 Rinseincstiled water 5 Counterstain in nuclear fast ed solution for S minutes. 8 Wash runing tap water for 1 minute. 7. Dehyate and tough 95% alcoho, 2 changes of absolute alcoho, 3 minutes each, 8 Clear xylene or xylene substitute 9 Mount with resinous meuniing medium. Results: Strongly aide sulfated mucosubstances —— blue Ne mene I ytopiasm. ale pink Find in Positive Controls: Smal intestine, penx oF colon.