Trypan blue in vivo stains nigral dopaminergic neurons killed by 6-hydroxydopamine.
Dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra killed by 6-hydroxydopamine were stained in vivo by intracerebral injections of trypan blue. Such staining appeared specific for dead neurons, although a proportion of these retained the ability to stain with Nissl dyes for at least 2 days. Neurons retained trypan blue in vivo for periods of up to 9 days. Trypan blue staining of some neurons outside the substantia nigra demonstrated the use of this dye in determining the degree of non-specific toxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine. Twenty-four hours after infusion of trypan blue almost no background staining was present and individually stained neurons were clearly visible. Thus the use of trypan blue may have a general application as a sensitive method for estimating discrete areas of toxin-induced neuronal death, and for estimating the degree of specificity of a toxin.
Lees
G J
GJ
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science, School of Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
D000818:Animals; D006892:Hydroxydopamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects*; D014343:Trypan Blue
D006892:Hydroxydopamines; D014343:Trypan Blue