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Quantitative analysis of chondroitin sulphate retention by tannic acid during preparation of specimens for electron microscopy

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Summary

The ability of tannic acid to enhance binding of glycosaminoglycans to purified collagen was analysed in anin vitro system using amino sugar analysis on an amino acid analyser, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Collagen was purified by digestion with trypsin, papain, and hyaluronidase. Purified collagen was incubated with hyaluronic acid or with chondroitin sulphate glycosaminoglycan and then treated with tannic acid. Tannic acid was found to enhance retention during preparation for electron microscopy of either of the glycosaminoglycans onto collagen fibres. The ability of tannic acid to enhance binding of collagen and glycosaminoglycans might explain, at least in part, its structural reinforcement effect on resected synovial joint-apposing surfaces during preparation for scanning electron microscopy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Electron Microscopy, The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, P.O.B. 9649, 31096, Haifa, Israel

    Daniel Levanon

  2. Department of Orthopedics A, Rambam Medical Center, P.O.B. 9602, 31096, Haifa, Israel

    Haim Stein

  3. The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

    Haim Stein

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  1. Daniel Levanon
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  2. Haim Stein
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Levanon, D., Stein, H. Quantitative analysis of chondroitin sulphate retention by tannic acid during preparation of specimens for electron microscopy. Histochem J 27, 457–465 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02388802

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02388802

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