Elastica-Van Gieson kit

Elastica-Van Gieson kit is used for staining elastin, connective tissue and collagen. Elastic fibres consist of elastin polymers and elastic microfibrils that make up a 3D network in an extracellular matrix inside connective tissue (skin, elastic cartilage, vascular walls, lung tissue and in vocal cords). Unlike standard histology stains, Weigert Van Gieson reagent (known as a resorcin-fuchsin reagent) displays selective differentiation of tissue samples, even in the early phase of the disease. When using the Elastica-Van Gieson kit, the sections are first treated with Resorcine Fuchsin reagent. The positively charged hydrophobic resorcin-fuchsin dye is present in large amounts and it is deposited owing to electropolarity to acid, negatively charged shells of elastic fibres. After differentiation in diluted alcohol or rinsing in tap water, the nuclei are stained with acid-fast Weigert hematoxylin. The last phase of staining is staining with Fuchsin Acid Van Gieson reagent that contains two dyes (acid fuchsin, picric acid) that simultaneously stain different tissue structures. Acid fuchsin stains collagen fibres intensive red while picric acid stains muscle fibres, erythrocytes and glial fibres yellow. Sections are optimally stained in a short period of time by using a rapid staining method.