Histochemical Study of Amyloid Substance in Lichen Amyloidosus

Abstract

The histochemical property of amyloid substance was studied in four cases of lichen amyloidosus. Alcian blue and periodic acid Schiff were used for staining acid mucopolysaccharides and glycoprotein and/or sugar-containing compounds respectively. Bromphenol blue was utilized for detection of basic proteins. In a further attempt to identify the various polyanions histochemically, staining was carried out with Alcian blue containing different concentrations of electrolytes. Methylation, saponification, mild acid hydrolysis and hyaluronidase, sialidase and peptic digestions were also employed. The results suggest that amyloid substance in lichen amyloidosus consists of a sialic acid-containing mucopolysaccharide protein complex.