Changes in the elemental content of rat heart as a result of the fixation in formalin analyzed by synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescent analysis.
The aim of the study was to investigate possible changes in the elemental content of small biological tissue samples (with low weight) during the short period of fixation in formalin. Therefore, the effect of the fixation time (4 h to 6 days) was studied on the elemental content of the tissue. Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescent analysis (SRXRF) technique was used for the determination of the elemental concentrations. The levels of Cl, K, Ca, Br, Rb, and Sr in the samples fixed for 4h (and longer) show significant differences in comparison with levels in fresh samples, because these ions have a high mobility and capacity for moving through the cell membrane. The content of Zn, Se, Fe, and Cu in the samples fixed by formalin solution during 4h do not show significant differences compared with fresh samples. The ions of these elements can form complexes with the large protein molecules in the tissue and can hardly be removed from it.
A.V. Nikolaev Institute of Inorganic Chemistry SB RAS, Laboratory of Spectroscopy of Inorganic Compounds, Lavrentyev av. 3, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia. Trunova@inp.nsk.su
Valentina
V
Trunova
Anna
A
Sidorina
Valentina
V
Zvereva
Boris
B
Churin
D000818:Animals; D001966:Bromine / Q000032:analysis; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002713:Chlorine / Q000032:analysis; D005404:Fixatives / Q000737:chemistry; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000737:chemistry; D009206:Myocardium / Q000737:chemistry*; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012413:Rubidium / Q000032:analysis; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013324:Strontium / Q000032:analysis; D017356:Synchrotrons; D016707:Tissue Fixation
D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde; D002713:Chlorine; D012413:Rubidium; D011188:Potassium; D001966:Bromine; D002118:Calcium; D013324:Strontium