title: An experimental model for the study of collagen fibers in skeletal muscle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine histological and histomorphometric techniques for measuring collagen in skeletal muscle.
  
  
  METHODS
  The following staining methods were used in the study: hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, reticulin, and picrosirius red, and immunostaining for collagen types I, II, III, IV, and V. Histomorphometric measurements were performed using Corel PhotoPaint and UTHSCSA Image Tool 3.0 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both the Masson's trichrome and picrosirius red staining provided the best visualization for the measurement of collagen content.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This methodology is important for the identification and quantification of the different types of collagen in muscles and can be used in the investigation of the qualitative and quantitative influence of collagen on physical activities, aging, and diseases.
authors.affiliation: UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. fisioeliziane@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Eliziane Nitz de Carvalho
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Calvi
authors.forename: Fábio Xerfan
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Nahas
authors.forename: Marcus Vinícius
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: José Augusto
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Calil
authors.forename: Silvia Saiuli Miki
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ihara
authors.forename: Marcelo de Souza
authors.initials: Mde S
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Marcello Fabiano de
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Lydia Masako
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008954:Models, Biological; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry*; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen