阿利新蓝 (Alcian)又称爱先蓝或阿尔辛蓝等,是一种类铜钛花青共轭染料,最初用于纺织纤维染色。这种阳离子染料与酸性基团结合,也即阿尔辛蓝与组织内含有的阴离子基团如羧基和硫酸根形成不溶性复合物。阿利新蓝由中央含铜的酞菁环与四个异硫脲基通过硫醚键相连而成,该异硫脲基呈中度碱性,使阿利新蓝带阳离子。阿利新蓝使碳水化合物着色的确切机制不明,普遍认为是阳离子的异硫脲基通过静电与组织内的多聚阴离子相连,如含羧基和硫酸根的酸性黏液物质的羧基和硫酸根形成不溶性复合物,即染料分子中带正电荷的盐键和酸性黏液物质中带负电荷的酸性基团结合呈蓝色。
阿利新蓝染色液利用染液的不同pH值可区分粘液物质的类属,pH值为2.5时组织内的羧基电离,带有一个负电荷,与阿利新蓝中的阳离子形成盐键,使带有羧基的组织 (如蛋白多糖/透明质酸以及上皮酸性黏蛋白)染色;pH值为1.0时组织内的硫酸根电离,带有一个负电荷,与阿利新蓝中的阳离子形成盐键,使带有硫酸根的组织 (如硫酸黏液物质)染色,中性黏蛋白 (如胃黏膜和Brunner腺体部位的中性黏蛋白)不能与阿利新蓝反应。
自备材料:
蒸馏水、系列乙醇、核固红染色液、二甲苯、中性树胶等
操作步骤(仅供参考):
1、二甲苯脱蜡,通过梯度乙醇后,入蒸馏水再水化。
2、放入阿利新蓝染色液 (pH2.5)染色15-30min,流水冲洗5min。
3、放入核固红染色液复染10min,流水冲洗1min。
4、常规乙醇脱水,二甲苯透明,中性树胶封片。
染色结果:
酸性黏蛋白 (硫酸黏蛋白和唾液黏蛋白):蓝色
蛋白多糖和透明质酸:蓝色
细胞核:红色
注意事项:
1、固定液采用10%中性福尔马林固定液。
2、若要选择性鉴别硫酸黏蛋白和蛋白多糖,应使用pH值低 (pH=1.0)的阿利新蓝,即调pH值为1.0;染色程序与pH=2.5的阿利新蓝操作相同,染色时间应相应延长。
3、已开封试剂应在开封后6个月内使用完,每次用后应及时拧紧瓶盖,以免挥发或变质。
4、为了您的安全和健康,请穿实验服并戴一次性手套操作。
5、本产品仅供科研实验,严禁他用。
Alcian Blue, also known as Azure Blue or Alcian Blue, is a copper phthalocyanine-conjugated dye. It was originally used for dyeing textile fibers. As a cationic dye, it binds to acidic groups—specifically, it forms insoluble complexes with anionic groups (such as carboxyl and sulfate groups) present in tissues. Alcian Blue consists of a central copper-containing phthalocyanine ring linked to four isothiourea groups via thioether bonds. These isothiourea groups are moderately basic, giving Alcian Blue a cationic charge. The exact mechanism by which Alcian Blue stains carbohydrates remains unclear, but it is generally believed that the cationic isothiourea groups bind electrostatically to polyanions in tissues. For example, they form insoluble complexes with the carboxyl and sulfate groups of acidic mucous substances (containing carboxyl and sulfate groups). In other words, the positively charged salt bonds in the dye molecules combine with the negatively charged acidic groups in acidic mucous substances, resulting in a blue color.
Alcian Blue staining solution can distinguish different types of mucous substances by adjusting the pH value of the solution: At pH 2.5: Carboxyl groups in tissues ionize, carrying a negative charge. They form salt bonds with the cations in Alcian Blue, staining tissues containing carboxyl groups (e.g., proteoglycans/hyaluronic acid and epithelial acidic mucins). At pH 1.0: Sulfate groups in tissues ionize, carrying a negative charge. They form salt bonds with the cations in Alcian Blue, staining tissues containing sulfate groups (e.g., sulfated mucous substances). Neutral mucins (e.g., neutral mucins in the gastric mucosa and Brunner's glands) do not react with Alcian Blue.
Self-Prepared Materials
Distilled water, a series of ethanol solutions, nuclear fast red staining solution, xylene, neutral balsam, etc.
Operating Procedures (for reference only)
1. Dewax sections with xylene, then pass through a graded ethanol series, and finally rehydrate in distilled water.
2. Immerse the sections in Alcian Blue Staining Solution - Solution A (pH 2.5) for 15-30 minutes, then rinse with running water for 5 minutes.
3. Counterstain with nuclear fast red staining solution for 10 minutes, then rinse with running water for 1 minute.
4. Dehydrate with ethanol in the usual manner, clear with xylene, and mount with neutral balsam.
Staining Results
Acidic mucins (sulfated mucins and salivary mucins): Blue.
Proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid: Blue.
Cell nuclei: Red.
Precautions
1. Use 10% neutral formalin fixative for tissue fixation.
2. To selectively identify sulfated mucins and proteoglycans, use Alcian Blue at a low pH (pH = 1.0) by adjusting the solution's pH to 1.0. The staining procedure is the same as that for Alcian Blue at pH 2.5, but the staining time should be extended accordingly.
3. Opened reagents should be used up within 6 months of opening. Tighten the bottle cap immediately after each use to prevent volatilization or deterioration.
4. For your safety and health, wear a lab coat and disposable gloves during operation.
5. This product is for scientific research only and must not be used for other purposes.