Abstract:

Objective To investigate whether and what staining techniques are applied to the ultrathin sheet plastination slice and whether the stained specimen is of autofluorescences. Methods A cadaveric hand block was plastinated and then sectioned as a series of 300-400 μm thick transverse sections. A total of 56 slices in total. Alternative sections were stained with hematoxylin -eosin staining (HE), Verhoeff -Van Gieson staining(VVG) or methylene blue and azureⅡstaining(MA). The stained slices were examined under a light microscope and a confocal microscope. Results The plastinated slices were stained with the three staining methods. HE staining revealed the muscle and connective tissues were red or violet, bone was violet or blue; VVG staining showed the elastic fibers was black, the collagen was red, and other tissues were yellow. MA staining showed the tendon was violet, the bone was pink, cartilage was violet, and other tissues were purple. However, the intracellular structures appeared not very well stained. The collagen, elastin and muscular structures in the stained slices were observed under a confocal microscope. Conclusion The commonly used histology staining methods can be used to stain the ultrathin sheet plastination slices. The staining provides a better observation of various tissues in the slice than the unstained slice. After staining, those autofluorescent structures in the plastinated slice are detectable under a confocal microscope.

Key words: Ultrathin sheet plastination, HE staining, Verhoeff-Van Gieson staining, Methylene blue and azureⅡ staining, Human