title: [Use of semithin sections for the preliminary evaluation of the granularity of epithelial cells in the human juxtaglomerular apparatus].
abstract: As the evaluation of granularity of the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) by Hartroft method in preparations stained according to Bowie is difficult due to a small size of kidney biopsies and the necessity ot use light microscopy, immunohistochemical method, and electron microscopy for examination of each biopsy, we investigated semi-thin araldite sections (STS) about 1-2 micrometer thick for preliminary evaluation of JGA epithelioid cell granularity. Three most widely used methods for STS staining modified by us were employed: toluidine blue without resin removal, methylene blue-azur II-fuchsin, Schiff reagent with resin removal. The staining results were as follows: toluidine blue stains granules in epithelioid cells violet, methylene blue-azur II-fuchsin blue, and Schiff reagent red. All the three methods allow detection and counting of the granules in JGA epithelioid cells. The best results were obtained with PAS-reaction when the granules are stained red against the pink background and lie separately from each other. Apart from the evaluation of JGA granularity, three-color staining and toluidine blue allow light microscopy study of other renal structures. For practical purposes, toluidine blue staining of STS is most convenient giving rapidly preparations of a rather good quality. Electron microscopy detects more granules than in STS, and permits their verification (rhomboid protogranules, spherical and lipofuscin-like granules.
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D007606:Juxtaglomerular Apparatus / Q000166:cytology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods
vernacular_title: Primenenie polutonkikh srezov dlia predvaritel'noĭ otsenki granulirovannosti épitellioidnykh kletok iukstaglomeruliarnogo apparata pochki cheloveka.