A combined use of silver pretreatment and impregnation with consequent Nissl staining for cortex and striatum architectonics study

Abstract

Despite a rapid growth in the application of modern techniques for visualization studies in life sciences, the classical methods of histological examination are yet to be outdated. Herein, we introduce a new approach that involves combining silver nitrate pretreatment and impregnation with consequent Nissl (cresyl violet) staining for cortex and striatum architectonics study on the same microscopy slide. The developed approach of hybrid staining provides a high-quality visualization of cellular and subcellular structures, including impregnated neurons (about 10%), Nissl-stained neurons (all the remaining ones), and astrocytes, as well as chromatophilic substances, nucleoli, and neuropil in paraffin sections. We provide a comparative study of the neuronal architectonics in both the motor cortex and striatum based on the differences in their tinctorial properties. In addition to a comparative study of the neuronal architectonics in both the motor cortex and striatum, the traditional methods to stain the cortex (motor and piriform) and the striatum are considered. The proposed staining approach compiles the routine conventional methods for thin sections, expanding avenues for more advanced examination of neurons, blood–brain barrier components, and fibers both under normal and pathological conditions. One of the main hallmarks of our method is the ability to detect changes in the number of glial cells. The results of astrocyte visualization in the motor cortex obtained by the developed technique agree well with the alternative studies by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemical reaction. The presented approach of combined staining has great potential in current histological practice, in particular for the evaluation of several neurological disorders in clinical, pre-clinical, or neurobiological animal studies.

Neonatal Meningitis-Causing Escherichia coli Induces Microglia Activation which Acts as a Double-Edged Sword in Bacterial Meningitis

“…In order to further identify the bacterial-meningitis-induced brain damage caused by NMEC, we performed a histological examination involving Nissl staining to assess neuronal loss [ 13 ]. More shrunken neurons with pyknotic nuclei were found in NMEC-infected mice compared with mice that received PBS ( Figure 4 a).…”

Effects of Cyfluthrin Exposure on Neurobehaviour, Hippocampal Tissue and Synaptic Plasticity in Wistar Rats

“…The results of HE staining showed that as the Cy dose increased, the cells in the hippocampal CA1 area exhibited vacuolization and pyknosis, their arrangement was disordered, and they were lost, with the high-dose exposure group showing the most marked changes, which further indicated that Cy exposure seriously disrupted the morphology of the rat hippocampus. To further observe neuronal damage, Nissl staining was used to assess the distribution and morphology of Nissl bodies [ 30 ]. The Nissl bodies are the main structures responsible for protein synthesis and can balance the levels of various neurotransmitters in the brain and maintain the stability of neuronal excitability.…”

Glucose Fluctuation Inhibits Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in Hippocampal Tissues and Exacerbates Cognitive Impairment in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

“…Specifically, hippocampal sections were prepared from paraffin-embedded rat brain tissues using a slicer (RM2235, Leica, Germany). Next, the sections were routinely dewaxed in water, and Nissl staining was conducted in accordance with the standard protocol [23,24]. Finally, the sections were sealed with neutral balsam, imaged with Pannoramic DESK NanoZoomer S60 (C13210-01, HAMAMATSU, Co., Ltd.), and analyzed.…”