Staining solution reagent P.T.A.H.

for histologyfor cytology

Minimum number of tests that can be performed 100 Completion time 13 minutes + overnight Shelf life 2 years Storage conditions 15-25°C Additional equipment Not required Application The method, originally proposed for staining the glia, is now mainly indicated for differentiating smooth muscle from striated muscle (by staining the isotropic bands of myofibrils of the skeletal muscle); it is also one of the methods of choice for fibrin. Result Nuclei, fibrin (most), myofibrils, astrocytes, certain elastic fibers, glia, myelin fibers dark blue Collagen, bone matrix, cartilage brick red in various shades Product for the preparation of cyto-histological samples for optical microscopy. This method was initially proposed to stain neuroglia but at present, it is used especially to differentiate between smooth muscular tissue and striated muscular tissue, since it stains isotropic bands of skeletal muscle’s myofibrils. Moreover, it is one of the recommended methods to show fibrin. PRINCIPLE Phosphotungstic acid acts as an acid carrier for the dye; it attaches to fibrin and to tissue elements with both chemical and physical links. Unlike most hematoxylins, this is a “progressive” method.