Application of the aluminum-formaldehyde (ALFA) histofluorescence method for demonstration of peripheral stores of catecholamines and indolamines in freeze-dried paraffin-embedded tissue, cryostat sections and whole-mounts. 1979

V Ajelis, and A Björklund, and B Falck, and O Lindvall, and I Lorén, and B Walles

This paper describes new procedures for highly sensitive visualization of monoamine stores in peripheral tissues, taking advantage of the recently introduced aluminum-catalysed formaldehyde (ALFA) reaction. The tissues are exposed to an aluminum sulphate solution (with or without formaldehyde fixation) in a perfusion and/or immersion step, followed by formaldehyde vapour treatment. Procedures are described for freeze-dried, paraffin embedded tissue, cryostat sections and whole mount preparations. For all these tissue preparations the ALFA method gives a highly sensitive and precise demonstration of catecholamine-containing neurons and 5-HT-containing cells in a variety of peripheral tissues. For freeze-dried tissue and cryostat sections the ALFA method represents an improvement in comparison with other available methods. This is particularly noticeable for the very delicate adrenergic nerves in such organs as the thyroid, ovary, pancreas and the gastrointestinal tract.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008856 Microscopy, Fluorescence Microscopy of specimens stained with fluorescent dye (usually fluorescein isothiocyanate) or of naturally fluorescent materials, which emit light when exposed to ultraviolet or blue light. Immunofluorescence microscopy utilizes antibodies that are labeled with fluorescent dye. Fluorescence Microscopy,Immunofluorescence Microscopy,Microscopy, Immunofluorescence,Fluorescence Microscopies,Immunofluorescence Microscopies,Microscopies, Fluorescence,Microscopies, Immunofluorescence
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D010525 Peripheral Nerves The nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, including the autonomic, cranial, and spinal nerves. Peripheral nerves contain non-neuronal cells and connective tissue as well as axons. The connective tissue layers include, from the outside to the inside, the epineurium, the perineurium, and the endoneurium. Endoneurium,Epineurium,Perineurium,Endoneuriums,Epineuriums,Nerve, Peripheral,Nerves, Peripheral,Perineuriums,Peripheral Nerve
D002395 Catecholamines A general class of ortho-dihydroxyphenylalkylamines derived from TYROSINE. Catecholamine,Sympathin,Sympathins
D005260 Female Females
D005557 Formaldehyde A highly reactive aldehyde gas formed by oxidation or incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. In solution, it has a wide range of uses: in the manufacture of resins and textiles, as a disinfectant, and as a laboratory fixative or preservative. Formaldehyde solution (formalin) is considered a hazardous compound, and its vapor toxic. (From Reynolds, Martindale The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p717) Formalin,Formol,Methanal,Oxomethane
D005612 Freeze Drying Method of tissue preparation in which the tissue specimen is frozen and then dehydrated at low temperature in a high vacuum. This method is also used for dehydrating pharmaceutical and food products. Lyophilization,Drying, Freeze,Dryings, Freeze,Freeze Dryings,Lyophilizations
D006168 Guinea Pigs A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research. Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D006651 Histocytochemistry Study of intracellular distribution of chemicals, reaction sites, enzymes, etc., by means of staining reactions, radioactive isotope uptake, selective metal distribution in electron microscopy, or other methods. Cytochemistry
D000535 Aluminum A metallic element that has the atomic number 13, atomic symbol Al, and atomic weight 26.98. Aluminium,Aluminium-27,Aluminum-27,Aluminium 27,Aluminum 27

Related Publications

V Ajelis, and A Björklund, and B Falck, and O Lindvall, and I Lorén, and B Walles
June 1980, Journal of neuroscience methods,
V Ajelis, and A Björklund, and B Falck, and O Lindvall, and I Lorén, and B Walles
June 1991, Histopathology,
V Ajelis, and A Björklund, and B Falck, and O Lindvall, and I Lorén, and B Walles
January 1970, Histochemie. Histochemistry. Histochimie,
V Ajelis, and A Björklund, and B Falck, and O Lindvall, and I Lorén, and B Walles
September 1951, A.M.A. archives of pathology,
V Ajelis, and A Björklund, and B Falck, and O Lindvall, and I Lorén, and B Walles
June 1985, Laboratory investigation; a journal of technical methods and pathology,
V Ajelis, and A Björklund, and B Falck, and O Lindvall, and I Lorén, and B Walles
May 1985, The Journal of cell biology,
V Ajelis, and A Björklund, and B Falck, and O Lindvall, and I Lorén, and B Walles
January 1971, Verhandlungen der Anatomischen Gesellschaft,
V Ajelis, and A Björklund, and B Falck, and O Lindvall, and I Lorén, and B Walles
July 1984, Lancet (London, England),
Copied contents to your clipboard!