Water-induced metachromasia of thionine and methylene blue in histologic preparations
Störmer, U.; Baumgärtel, H.
Acta Histochemica 79(1): 127-134
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0065-1281 PMID: 3090835 Document Number: 277038
The metachromatic staining of histological preparations of tissues of lung and rib by thionine and methylene blue has been investigated. The metachromatic effect is caused by the distribution of monomer, dimer, and higher aggregates of the adsorbed dyes. This distribution is primarily influenced by the structure of the biopolymers, which adsorbs the dye cations. It is strongly modified by the water content of the media used for differentiation and embedding.