title: Effect of melanin bleach on Feulgen-DNA microdensitometry in pigmented lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of melanin bleach on Feulgen-DNA microdensitometry in pigmented melanocytic lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty banal compound nevi with various grades of pigmentation were bleached by 0.5% and 1% KMnO4 for 0 to 20 minutes and by 10% H2O2 for 24 hours prior to Feulgen staining. DNA microdensitometry was performed by video image analysis to measure the integrated optical density (IOD) in nuclei from nevomelanocytes, lymphocytes and spinous keratinocytes. The DNA index of nevomelanocytes was calculated using spinous keratinocytes as the diploid controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant decreases in IOD (P < .05) in the nuclei of nevomelanocytes, lymphocytes and spinous keratinocytes after treatment with 1% KMnO4 for 5 and 10 minutes, but no significant changes were detected after treatment with 0.5% KMnO4 for 5 and 10 minutes. Severe tissue damage was observed in the Feulgen-stained slides treated with 1% KMnO4 for 15 and 20 minutes and with 10% H2O2 for 24 hours. There was no significant change in DNA index in any bleached sets measured.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  KMnO4 can affect Feulgen-DNA content if used in high concentrations or for long periods of incubation. The DNA index, which is derived from internal controls, is not affected by the bleach procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: L X
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Crotty
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kril
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Palmer
mesh_terms: D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D003720:Densitometry; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008543:Melanins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology*; D011196:Potassium Permanganate / Q000737:chemistry; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; C007722:Feulgen stain; D008543:Melanins; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D011196:Potassium Permanganate; D004247:DNA; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide