alcian-blue and Metaplasia

Pathological specimens from columnar-lined oesophagus (CLO) comprise a considerable proportion of the workload of gastrointestinal pathologists in Western countries. There remain controversies concerning the diagnostic role of pathology. More recently, in the UK at least, the diagnosis has been regarded as primarily an endoscopic endeavour, with pathology being corroborative and only diagnostic when endoscopic features are equivocal or when there are additional features that make the endoscopic diagnosis unclear. There is also recognition that demonstration of intestinalisation or 'goblet cells' is not paramount, and should not be required for the diagnosis. There have been notable changes in the management of CLO neoplasia: pathologists are centrally involved in its management. Pathological assessment of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) specimens provides the most useful means of determining the management of early neoplasia and of determining indications for surgery. This represents an extraordinarily rapid change in management, in that, <10 years ago, laborious Seattle-type biopsy protocols were recommended, and high grade dysplasia was an indication for resectional surgery. Now, individual patient management is paramount: multi-professional meetings determine management after biopsy and EMR assessment. One significant change is that major resections are undertaken less often, in Western countries, for CLO neoplasia.

Topics: Ablation Techniques; Adenocarcinoma; Alcian Blue; Barrett Esophagus; Biopsy; Epithelial Cells; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophagoscopy; Esophagus; Goblet Cells; Hernia, Hiatal; Humans; Metaplasia; Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; Precancerous Conditions

Aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a multiple ligand-activated transcription factor that has important roles in xenobiotic, physiological, or pathological functions. Transgenic mice systemically expressing constitutively-active AhR (CA-AhR) have been created to mimic activated AhR signaling in vivo. However, their detailed histopathological features are unclear. In the present study, we generated CA-AhR-expressing FVB/N mice (FVB-CA-AhR mice) and clarified their phenotypes in detail.. Male and female FVB-CA-AhR and wild-type mice were histopathologically examined from 6 to 33 weeks of age.. Among the systemic organs, only the stomachs in FVB-CA-AhR mice showed pathological changes including cystic structures beneath the serosa; in addition, stomach weights increased with age. Histopathologically, cystic structures and alcian blue-positive metaplasia were observed in the mucosa of the proper gastric glands, and these two histometric parameters were positively correlated. Furthermore, proliferating cells shifted from the isthmus to the base of the glands, and parietal cells decreased. Age-related histopathological changes were clearer in females than in males. Importantly, in FVB-CA-AhR mice, intramucosal cysts developed as extramucosal cysts beneath the serosa, penetrating the lamina muscularis mucosae and the muscularis propria. Their incidence reached 100% in 28-week-old male mice and 33-week-old female mice. Extramucosal cysts contained alcian blue-, Griffonia simplicifolia lectin II-, or trefoil factor 2-positive cells, suggesting a stomach origin for the cysts and spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia-like lesions.. Disease onset occurred earlier in FVB-CA-AhR mice than previously reported in C57BL/6-derived CA-AhR mice. Importantly, the histopathological features were partly similar with gastritis cystica profunda in humans and animals. Excessive activation of AhR signaling aggravated abnormalities in the gastric mucosa and were affected by both genetic- and sex-related factors.

Topics: Alcian Blue; Animals; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors; Cysts; Female; Gastric Mucosa; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Male; Metaplasia; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Phenotype; Plant Lectins; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; Signal Transduction; Trefoil Factor-2

To compare the sensitivity and specificity of CDX2 and alcian blue (AB) pH 2.5 staining in identifying esophageal intestinal metaplasia.. One hundred and ninty-nine biopsies from 186 patients were retrospectively reviewed and categorized as Barrett's esophagus (BE) (n = 108); non-Barrett's esophagus (NBE) (n = 48); columnar blue cells (CB) and esophageal glands (EG) (n = 43). The biopsies were stained with AB and immunostained for CDX2 using a mouse monoclonal antibody from Biogenex (clone CDX2-88) and the Ventana Discovery X automated immunostainer. The positive and negative predictive value of each group was used to determine the predictive power of CDX2 and AB in diagnosing intestinal metaplasia.. All of the 108 BE biopsies (100%) were positive for AB and 102 of them (94.4%) were positive for CDX2. The six BE patients (5.6%) who failed to stain with CDX2 were found to have lost the focus of intestinal metaplasia upon deeper sectioning for immunostaining. Both AB and CDX2 were negative in 43 out of 48 (89.6%) NBE cases. Five NBE patients (10.4%) were falsely positive for AB due to the presence of EG and CB in these biopsies. These cases were all CDX2 negative. In addition, 5 AB negative NBE were found to be CDX2 positive. Based on these results the CDX2 immunostain had similar sensitivity but higher specificity (100% vs about 91%) than AB in detecting intestinal type metaplasia in these samples. Our data shows that CDX2 has a better PPV in detecting intestinal metaplasia as compared to AB (95.6% vs 71.5%, respectively).. CDX2 has a better positive predictive value than AB in detecting intestinal metaplasia. CDX2 may be useful when challenged by gastro-esophageal biopsies containing mimikers of BE.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alcian Blue; Barrett Esophagus; Biopsy; CDX2 Transcription Factor; Coloring Agents; Esophagus; Female; Homeodomain Proteins; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Predictive Value of Tests; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Staining and Labeling

Barrett's esophagus is a common pathological condition in patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease.. The aim of this study was to compare endoscopic diagnosis versus histological confirmation.. Cross-sectional.. Cancer Institute of the Imam Khomeini Hospital.. A total of 50 patients with a history of gastro-esophageal reflux were recruited and underwent upper endoscopy at this cross-sectional survey. Four-quadrant biopsy was taken from all suspected areas of intestinal metaplasia. Sections of blocks were stained with Mixed Alcian Blue (PH 2.5)/PAS and haematoxylin-eosin stainings for the diagnosis of intestinal metaplasia (complete vs. incomplete types) and goblet cell / columnar cell / dysplasia, respectively.. The presence of Helicobacter pylori was assessed by Giemsa staining.. There were 44 cases of short-segment Barrett's esophagus and 6 of long-segment Barretts esophagus by endoscopy. When examined by histologic examination, 12 patients with short-segment Barrett's esophagus and 4 with long-segment Barrett's esophagus had intestinal metaplasia. Haematoxylin-eosin staining diagnosed 12 cases of intestinal metaplasia, whereas mixed alcian blue/PAS was used to diagnose 16 cases (κ = 80%, p < 0.001). The positive predictive value in the diagnosis of goblet cell metaplasia and columnar cell metaplasia was 32% and 66%, respectively. Helicobacter pylori infection was observed in 10 cases of those with columnar cell metaplasia without goblet cells, while none of the patients with intestinal metaplasia were infected.. Our findings suggest that biopsy taking is necessary in all patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease, whose results suggest columnar cell lining in distal esophagus in endoscopy.

Topics: Alcian Blue; Barrett Esophagus; Biopsy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Esophagoscopy; Esophagus; Female; Gastritis; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Helicobacter Infections; Humans; Male; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; Predictive Value of Tests

The liver is widely recognized for its ability to self-regenerate after damage. Hepatocyte replication is the primary source of liver restoration, although hepatic stem cells (of one kind or another) may be a secondary font, only brought into effect when primary regeneration is severely compromised.. In experiments using small rodents, such an injury can be inflicted by surgically removing a large portion of the liver followed by treatment with hepatotoxin 2-acetylaminofluorene. Regeneration by hepatocyte replication is blocked and thus, stem cell involvement is promoted. However, other responses may be stimulated and this study describes the presence of mucinous glandular structures in the healing liver after two-thirds of its volume was removed via hepatectomy followed by treatment with 2-acetylaminofluorene.. Unique observation of intestinal metaplastic cells was seen under alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff staining.. The existence of this phenotype (along with oval cells and small hepatocyte-like cells) is evidence of multipotency of progenitors involved in the hepatic healing response.

Topics: 2-Acetylaminofluorene; Alcian Blue; Animals; Carcinogens; Cell Differentiation; Cell Shape; Coloring Agents; Hepatectomy; Hepatocytes; Intestines; Liver; Liver Regeneration; Metaplasia; Rats; Stem Cells

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of the mixture of carbol fuchsin and alcian blue stain in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (HP) and goblet cell intestinal metaplasia (IM) in comparison to the more commonly used Giemsa and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains. Pathological blocks of gastric tissues obtained from January 2006 to December 2007 were recut and processed for Giemsa and a mixture of carbol fuchsin and alcian blue stains. Clinical data regarding the patients were collected and previous slides stain with H&E from gastric tissues were reviewed. The Giemsa and the mixture of carbol fuchsin and alcian blue stains were studied by a pathologist who was blinded to the pathological and clinical data. Direct comparisons were made between the stains for diagnosis of HP. Of 423 cases studied the concordance rate was 97.8% (kappa value=0.947, p< 0.05). Using the mixture of carbol fuchsin and alcian blue stain, 4.3 % of goblet cell IM which were not detected by H&E stain were additionally identified. The prevalences of HP infection diagnosed by Giemsa, the mixture of carbol fuchsin and alcian blue, and H&E stains were 72.1%, 72.3%, and 71%, respectively. In conclusion, the mixture of carbol fuchsin and alcian blue stain can be used in place of Giemsa stain for the identification of HP, and is probably preferable because of its low cost and is less time-consuming. Carbol fuchsin and alcian blue which are commonly available dyes are more beneficial than Giemsa stain and aid in identifing goblet cell IM undiagnosed by conventional H&E stain.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alcian Blue; Biopsy; Female; Goblet Cells; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Intestinal Diseases; Male; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Rosaniline Dyes; Staining and Labeling

One of the major aspects of airway remodeling in asthma is the development of mucous cell metaplasia (MCM). The role of cytokines in the generation and resolution of MCM has been studied in mice and in isolated airway epithelial cells in culture. However, studies using organ cultures that keep the tubular structure of the airways intact and allow studies in the absence of inflammatory cells have not been reported. We established an organ culture system that replicates the allergen-induced MCM in mice and analyzed the role of Bax in the IFN-gamma-induced resolution of MCM. IL-9 or IL-13 induced MCM independently, but a combined IL-9/IL-13 treatment enhanced MCM synergistically. Addition of IFN-gamma at 0.1 ng/ml concentration further increased MCM to levels observed in allergen-exposed mice in vivo. However, MCM was reduced when explants were treated with 50 ng/ml IFN-gamma after MCM was established. While IL-9/IL-13 induced MCM in bronchioles microdissected from bax(+/+) and bax(-/-) mice to a similar extent, IFN-gamma treatment reduced MCM only in bronchioles from bax(+/+) but not in bax(-/-) bronchioles. Restoration of Bax expression in bax(-/-) bronchioles using an adenoviral expression system reduced IL-9/IL-13-induced MCM while MCM was similar in noninfected or adenoviral green fluorescent protein-infected bax(-/-) bronchioles. Furthermore, expressing Bax using an adenoviral expression system reduced allergen-induced MCM in mice. These studies show that allergen-induced MCM is a response to a combination of various cytokines at defined concentrations and that IFN-gamma requires Bax for the resolution of MCM.

Topics: Adenoviridae; Alcian Blue; Allergens; Animals; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Bronchi; Coloring Agents; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Interactions; Eosine Yellowish-(YS); Fluorescent Dyes; Goblet Cells; Green Fluorescent Proteins; Hemagglutinins; Hematoxylin; Immunohistochemistry; Interferon-gamma; Interleukin-13; Interleukin-9; Metaplasia; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Models, Biological; Organ Culture Techniques; Ovalbumin; Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; Time Factors

Helicobacter pylori and intestinal metaplasia (IM) are readily seen in hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides of gastric and/or esophageal biopsies, yet many pathology laboratories perform routine special stains on all of these biopsies. We wished to determine if special stains are necessary for every single gastric and/or esophageal biopsy. We prospectively studied 613 gastric and/or esophageal biopsies from 494 consecutive patients. The slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue (TB) for H. pylori, and Alcian blue (AB) for IM. The hematoxylin and eosin slide was classed as positive or negative for H. pylori and IM. Then it was determined if the case needed a TB or AB stain. A total of 436 cases (71.1%) were identified as H. pylori-negative and not needing a TB stain, and none was TB+. A total of 126 (20.6%) of hematoxylin and eosin slides were inconclusive for H. pylori and were regarded as needing a TB stain. Twenty of these (15.9%) were TB+. Fifty-one biopsies (8.3%) were regarded as H. pylori+ on hematoxylin and eosin; the TB stain was also positive in 49. IM was present in 113 (18.4%) hematoxylin and eosin biopsies. Hematoxylin and eosin slides were IM-negative in 498 cases (81.2%). The AB stain revealed rare goblet cells in 3 of 498 cases (0.6%). Only one of those biopsies was esophageal, and that had one goblet cell that was missed on hematoxylin and eosin. Only 2 (0.3%) were regarded as needing an AB stain. We conclude that routine special stains for all gastric and/or esophageal biopsies are not required, and hematoxylin and eosin assessment combined with selective ordering of these stains will identify virtually all cases of H. pylori gastritis and intestinal metaplasia.

Topics: Alcian Blue; Biopsy; Eosine Yellowish-(YS); Esophagus; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Hematoxylin; Humans; Metaplasia; Staining and Labeling; Stomach; Tolonium Chloride

Topics: Alcian Blue; Barrett Esophagus; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Intestines; Metaplasia; Mucin-2; Mucins; Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; Staining and Labeling

Short-segment Barrett's esophagus (SSBE) is defined by the presence of columnar-appearing mucosa in distal esophagus (involving less than 2 to 3 cm), with intestinal metaplasia on biopsy. Its potential to develop dysplasia and cancer may require a surveillance program with better diagnostic tools to detect intestinal metaplasia.. To investigate the role of imprint cytology as a diagnostic tool either alone or combined with histology in SSBE.. Seventy-nine patients (46 men, 33 women) with SSBE diagnosed during elective upper gastroscopy were included. Patients with serrated z-line with short tongues of pink mucosa and patients with a circular non-serrated z-line that extended less than 2 cm above the esophagogastric junction were biopsied on four quadrants just distal to z-line. Four slides of imprint preparation (including 1, 2, 3, and 4 touching of each biopsy specimen) was made for cytologic examination. Hematoxylin and eosin and Alcian blue staining for histologic examinations and Alcian Blue for cytologic evaluations were used to find evidence of intestinal metaplasia.. Intestinal metaplasia was detected in 15 (19%), 21 (27%), and 30 (38%) patients by histologic examination with hematoxylin and eosin alone, by Alcian blue alone, and by histologic plus cytologic examination with Alcian blue, respectively. Nine patients with negative histologic but positive cytologic results were positive for intestinal metaplasia when they were reevaluated after further sectioning and staining. Sensitivity of imprint cytology alone was 53%. When imprint cytology was combined with the histologic evaluation, the prevalence of intestinal metaplasia increased from 27% to 38% (p < 0.05).. Imprint cytology might be a complementary diagnostic tool for histology in detecting patients with SSBE.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Alcian Blue; Barrett Esophagus; Biopsy; Coloring Agents; Endoscopy, Digestive System; Eosine Yellowish-(YS); Female; Hematoxylin; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa; Male; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Turkey

Histopathological and lectin-histochemical characteristics were studied in the lining epithelium of postoperative maxillary cysts (POMC).. Histological (HE, PAS, AB), immunohistochemical (CD3 and L26) and lectin (wheat germ agglutinin, WGA; Ulex europaeus agglutinin I, UEA-I; concanavalin A, ConA) stainings were performed in the 360 POMC specimens. The number of goblet cells and inflammatory cells was counted and statistically analyzed.. The lining epithelium was classified into three types based on histopathological characteristics; pseudostratified ciliated epithelium (pSCE), transitional epithelium (TE) and stratified squamous epithelium (SSE). Local infiltration of inflammatory cells into the cyst wall was associated with an increased number of goblet cells in the lining epithelium. The observed association between the infiltration of inflammatory cells and an increase in the number of goblet cells was statistically significant in groups with lining pSCE and TE. Glycoconjugate histochemical analysis revealed that the surfaces of the lining epithelium with squamous metaplasia showed an increased degree of staining reactivity with UEA-I, whereas the staining reactivity with ConA was reduced. Goblet cells were able to be stained with WGA and UEA-I, but showed extremely low reactivity with ConA.. Changes in the glycoconjugate expression of the metaplastic lining epithelium and goblet cell development play an important role in the local defense mechanisms against inflammatory factors in POMC.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alcian Blue; Analysis of Variance; B-Lymphocytes; Cilia; Coloring Agents; Concanavalin A; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium; Female; Fluorescent Dyes; Goblet Cells; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Jaw Cysts; Linear Models; Male; Maxillary Diseases; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; Plant Lectins; Plasma Cells; Postoperative Complications; T-Lymphocytes; Wheat Germ Agglutinins

Gastric metaplasia is frequently seen in biopsies of the duodenal cap, particularly when inflamed or ulcerated. In its initial manifestation small patches of gastric foveolar cells appear near the tip of a villus. These cells contain periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive neutral mucins in contrast with the alcian blue (AB) positive acidic mucins within duodenal goblet cells. Previous investigations have suggested that these PAS positive cells originate either in Brunner's gland ducts or at the base of duodenal crypts and migrate in distinct streams to the upper villus. To investigate the origin of gastric metaplasia in superficial patches, we used the PAS/AB stain to distinguish between neutral and acidic mucins and in addition specific antibodies to immunolocalise foveolar cell mucin MUC5AC, the foveolar cell secretory product, gastric trefoil factor (TFF1), the mature goblet cell mucin MUC2, and MUC2 core antigen.. Cells in focal patches of gastric metaplasia contained secretory granules of both gastric and goblet cell phenotypes. MUC5AC and TFF1 were present as expected in gastric foveolar cells but in addition, MUC2 core antigen, normally present only in the Golgi of intestinal goblet cells, was expressed in secretory granules. Goblet cells in the vicinity of metaplastic patches also expressed both gastric and intestinal antigens. MUC5AC/MUC2 containing goblet cells were most common near the villus tip but were also seen at the base of crypts. Where crypts and Brunner's gland ducts merged they were always seen on the crypt side of the junction. Goblet cells were the only cells to express gastric antigens in these areas. In advanced metaplastic lesions, dual phenotype goblet cells were less evident and fewer cells expressed intestinal mucin antigens.. We suggest that goblet cells that express both intestinal and gastric antigens may represent local precursors of gastric metaplasia undergoing a transition to foveolar-like cells of mixed phenotype at the site of early metaplastic patches. As metaplasia becomes more widespread, a more pure gastric phenotype emerges. This progression is likely to be controlled by local inflammatory signals.

Topics: Adolescent; Alcian Blue; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Child; Duodenum; Gastric Mucins; Goblet Cells; Humans; Metaplasia; Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; Stomach

Prevalence of short segment Barrett's (SSB) oesophagus, defined as the absence of macroscopic Barrett's but histologically identifiable intestinal metaplasia, has been reported to be 18% based on haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.. To define the prevalence of SSB oesophagus using H&E and alcian blue staining and to determine whether SSB oesophagus is associated with inflammation at the gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ).. Consecutive patients (n = 158) presenting for endoscopy completed a structured interview.. Two biopsy specimens taken from the GOJ were stained with H&E, alcian blue and Giemsa. A third specimen was obtained from the distal oesophagus. Intestinal metaplasia was diagnosed if goblet cells were definitely identified by two independent observers.. SSB oesophagus was present in 46 (prevalence 36%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 28.5-43.5) using alcian blue staining. If H&E had been the sole staining method used, 50% cases of intestinal metaplasia would have been overlooked. There were no cases of intestinal metaplasia identified by H&E but missed by alcian blue staining. Logistic regression analysis identified age (odds ratio (OR) per decade 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.06), histological oesophagitis (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4-7.2) and inflammation at the gastrooesophageal junction (OR 5.9, 95% CI 2.2-15.6) as independent risk factors for SSB oesophagus.. Unrecognised SSB oesophagus is highly prevalent in patients presenting for diagnostic upper endoscopy if alcian blue staining is applied.

Topics: Adult; Alcian Blue; Barrett Esophagus; Esophagitis; Esophagogastric Junction; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Gastroscopy; Humans; Male; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Staining and Labeling

To study the prevalence of peptic ulcer and the histological appearance of the gastric mucosa in healthy, asymptomatic Indians infected with Helicobacter pylori.. Asymptomatic, healthy individuals without any GI symptoms were invited to undergo endoscopy of the upper GI tract. A careful search was made for any erosion or ulcer. Four biopsy specimens were obtained from the gastric corpus and antrum. Histological sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological details and with Loffler's methylene blue for the presence of H. pylori. Alcian blue periodic acid-Schiff stain (pH 2.5) was used to classify and grade areas of intestinal metaplasia.. Histological examination showed chronic gastritis in 72 (80%) persons. Pangastritis was seen in 22% of subjects; pangastritis with antral predominance, in 28%; and antrum-only gastritis, in 50%. Activity was noted in biopsy specimens from only 33% of the subjects. H. pylori infection was present in 70 (78%) subjects. All of these subjects had evidence of chronic gastritis. Endoscopic examination revealed a normal appearance in 88 individuals. In two individuals a duodenal ulcer was seen. Both subjects had severe H. pylori infection in the antral mucosa. Of the 70 persons having H. pylori infection, only two (2.8%) had a duodenal ulcer.. This study showed that despite a high prevalence of H. pylori infection in asymptomatic, healthy Indians, the point prevalence of peptic ulcer is low, and chronic active gastritis is uncommon.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alcian Blue; Biopsy; Chronic Disease; Coloring Agents; Duodenal Ulcer; Eosine Yellowish-(YS); Female; Fluorescent Dyes; Gastric Mucosa; Gastritis; Gastroscopy; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Hematoxylin; Humans; India; Intestinal Mucosa; Male; Metaplasia; Methylene Blue; Middle Aged; Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; Prevalence; Pyloric Antrum; Stomach Diseases; Stomach Ulcer

The epithelium at the trigone of the urinary bladder showed intestinal metaplasia of a colonic type in three Holstein-Friesian cows affected with chronic polypoid cystitis. Except for Ricinus communis (RCA-I), almost all goblet cells in the whole crypt were positive to periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), alcian blue (AB) pH 2.5, AB pH 1.0, periodate borohydride-potassium hydroxide-PAS (PB-KOH-PAS), Ulex europaeus (UEA-I), Triticum vulgare (WGA) and Arachis hypogaea (PNA) after neuraminidase digestion. This result indicated that most goblet cells contained acidic and neutral glycoconjugates as O-acetylated sialomucin, L-fucose, N-acetyl-glucosamine, neuraminic acid residues and sialic acid-galactose dimers and were devoid of beta-D-galactose. The goblet cells at the surface in the upper half of the crypt contained both sulpho- and sialo-mucins with N-acetyl-galactosamine residues by AB (pH 2.5)-PAS, high iron diamine (HID)-AB (pH 2.5), Dolichos biflorus (DBA) and Glycine maximus (SBA) reactions. On the other hand, the lower goblet cells were found to contain predominantly sulphated mucins with D-mannose and D-glucose residues by AB-PAS, HID-AB and Concanavalia ensiformis (Con A) reactivities. This suggested that mucin secreted from these cells was similar to that secreted from the goblet cells of the large intestine in cattle.

Topics: Alcian Blue; Animals; Carbohydrate Sequence; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Chronic Disease; Colon; Cystitis; Epithelium; Female; Glycoconjugates; Hydronephrosis; Intestinal Mucosa; Lectins; Metaplasia; Molecular Sequence Data; Mucins; Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; Sialoglycoproteins; Urinary Bladder

Clear cell metaplasia of the human breast is known to be a benign metaplastic change which has no pre-malignant connotation. Despite its proposed relationship to focal lactational change and to lactating breast, morphological and immunocytochemical features failed to demonstrate a clear relationship between these. Mucin secretion showed a characteristic pattern of granularity, and endocrine differentiation was not present. The mucin and immunocytochemical features suggest a relationship with eccrine sweat glands and a better name would perhaps be 'eccrine metaplasia' to underline the special relationship breast metaplasias have to sweat gland epithelium.

Topics: Alcian Blue; Apolipoproteins; Apolipoproteins D; Breast; Carrier Proteins; Eccrine Glands; Female; Glycoproteins; Humans; Hyperplasia; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Lactalbumin; Lactation; Membrane Transport Proteins; Metaplasia; Neoplasm Proteins; Pregnancy; S100 Proteins; Sweat Glands

A gastrectomy specimen housing an adenocarcinoma of intestinal type was divided into 60 blocks. Sections were stained with Alcian blue pH 2.5 (to detect foreign mucins). Alcian blue fields were quantitated with a MOP 30 connected to a computer. The mucosa analysed in the 60 sections measured 3788.3 mm2 and that occupied by Alcian blue stained goblet cells 300.9 mm2 (or 7.9% of the total mucosal area). The number of Alcian blue positive fields was significantly larger in the intermediate zone followed by the antral zone, the lowest value was found in the corpus. However, the gastric mucosa with Alcian blue positive cells was larger in the antrum than in the intermediate zone due to the fact that the area of the fields with Alcian blue positive cells was significantly larger in the antrum than in the intermediate zone. The size and number of Alcian blue positive fields were significantly larger along the greater than along the smaller curvature. All measurements were done by a trained technician. The method (using histochemistry, morphometry and skilled technical assistance) will be applied to study the distribution of intestinal metaplasia in gastrectomy specimens from populations with disparate incidences of gastric carcinoma.

Topics: Adult; Alcian Blue; Gastric Mucosa; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Intestines; Male; Metaplasia

A case is described in which both a moderately elevated villous adenoma associated with adenocarcinoma at the posterior wall and an independent gastric carcinoma at the anterior wall were present. These two lesions were surrounded by the mucosa of incomplete intestinal metaplasia. Consecutive sections of the villous adenoma associated focally with carcinoma and the independent cancer were stained by the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), pH 2.5 alcian blue (A1-B1), high iron diamine pH 2.5 alcian blue (HID-AB) and carcinoembryonic antigen peroxidase-antiperoxidase (CEA-PAP) methods. Villous adenoma was weakly positive in the PAS stain but negative in A1-B1 and HID stains, showing that it did not produce mucin. On the other hand, the intestinal metaplasia and cancerous lesions were positive in PAS, A1-B1 and HID stains, indicating production of the intestinal type of mucin. The villous adenoma accompanied by malignant changes was positive by the CEA-PAP method. This result shows the biological property of villous adenoma that they can easily change into malignancy. These three lesions in our case are considered to have originated independently from the primordial cells and to have developed the differences in mucin production in the process of cell development.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adenoma; Aged; Alcian Blue; Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Female; Gastric Mucosa; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Metaplasia; Mucins; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary; Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; Stomach Neoplasms

Topics: Alcian Blue; Diamines; Female; Gastric Mucosa; Gastritis, Atrophic; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Intestines; Iron; Male; Metaplasia; Stomach Neoplasms

The occurrence of intestinal metaplasia with colonic-type sulphomucins: (abbreviated: s-IM or s-positive IM) in the gastric mucosa was studied in 125 patients with gastric carcinoma (GCA), 62 patients with pernicious anemia (PA), 301 and 183 first-degree relatives of GCA and PA patients, 406 outpatients and in 358 controls matched from a large population sample. The sulphomucins (s-mucins) were demonstrated histochemically in endoscopic biopsy specimens by using high iron diamine and Alcian blue (pH 1) methods. The prevalence of s-IM, especially the strongly s-positive IM, was significantly higher in GCA patients than in other series or controls of the same age group. Further, s-IM was significantly more common in PA patients and its prevalence higher in GCA relatives and outpatients than in other series or controls. The occurrence of s-IM was also age-dependent and dependent on the extent of IM. It was suggested that the occurrence of s-IM can be used as a sign of lesions that are more closely associated with GCA than IM is in general.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Alcian Blue; Anemia, Pernicious; Diamines; Female; Gastric Mucosa; Humans; Intestines; Male; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Mucins; Sex Factors; Staining and Labeling; Stomach Neoplasms

A macroscopic method using the dyes Alcian blue and phloxine is described for the investigation of squamous metaplasia in the larynx. The method also demonstrates an intermediate type epithelium about which little is known. The gross staining of the tissues is based upon the differential penetration of the dyes through squamous, intermediate and respiratory epithelia, and on the strong chemical complex formed between Alcian blue and mucin. The method is particularly useful for research purposes owing to the permanency of the staining result.

Topics: Adult; Alcian Blue; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium; Fluoresceins; Humans; Indoles; Laryngeal Diseases; Larynx; Metaplasia; Staining and Labeling; Time Factors

The Alcian blue method is described as an alternative to the use of pyronin for the immediate post-mortem demonstration of squamous in the larynx. Alcian blue-stained specimens can be stored for prolonged periods in 4 per cent formaldehyde in normal saline without loss of contrast and used as wet specimens for teaching purposes. Alcian blue-stained larynges showing squamous metaplasia can be permanently mounted for museum display in either Kaiserling's or Wentworth's fluids.

Topics: Adult; Alcian Blue; Education, Medical; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium; Exhibitions as Topic; Formaldehyde; Frozen Sections; Histological Techniques; Humans; Indoles; Laryngeal Diseases; Larynx; Metaplasia; Museums; Preservation, Biological

Topics: Alcian Blue; Coloring Agents; Female; Humans; Metaplasia; Periodic Acid; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms