A simple estimation of liver collagen content by the computed color image analyzer using Srius red stained sections

Abstract

We studied the quantitative determination of liver collagen content by the computed color image analyzer using fibrous tissue stained sections. 1) To determine the dye that specifically binds to collagen, we examined the binding capacity of Sirius red, Aniline blue, and Acid fuchsin for extracellular matrix components in liver. Then it was revealed that Sirius red had the most specific binding capacity for collagen. 2) For twenty four liver samples from autopsies or hepatic operations the following stains were performed, double stain of Sirius red and Fast green (SF stain), Azan stain and van Gieson stain. And the percentage of fibrotic area to the total area (% fibrosis) was measured by the computed analyzing system. Only by using SF stain, % fibrosis could be measured without any difficulties. 3) There was a highly significant correlation between the biochemically measured hydroxyproline content of liver samples and the % fibrosis of same samples with SF stain (r=0.887).
This simple method may be useful for the quantitative determination of liver collagen content from biopsied samples.