title: De-staining and re-staining mucins in formalin fixed paraffin sections.
abstract: Re-staining of formalin fixed paraffin sections sometimes is required and this requires prior de-staining. Some simple and effective protocols for de-staining are described. Mucihematoxylin and mucicarmine can be removed with acid alcohol. Zirconyl hematoxylin can be removed with periodic acid or Sinha's fixative. Alcian blue can be removed with 5% trifluoroacetic acid in dichloromethane. Colloidal iron can be bleached in 1% household bleach in alcohol. PAS can be removed with hydrogen peroxide or ammonium hydroxide. With few exceptions, de-stained sections can be re-stained with mucihematoxylin, PAS or Gabe's trichrome.
authors.affiliation: Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine, Miami Shores, Florida 33161, USA.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Glickfield
mesh_terms: D000423:Alcian Blue; D000818:Animals; D002329:Carmine; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006416:Hematoxylin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006652:Histological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009077:Mucins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010232:Paraffin; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D009077:Mucins; C418048:zirconyl hematoxylin; D005557:Formaldehyde; C029618:mucicarmine; D010232:Paraffin; D002329:Carmine; D000423:Alcian Blue; D006416:Hematoxylin