Lipofuscin is a degradation product of cells that accumulates in the cytoplasm.
Origin: autophagocytic lyosomes containing mitochondria and other cell components. It may be composed of a mixture of protein, lipids and carbohydrates.
In routine sections lipofuscin is a brown and granular material in the cytoplasm.
Positive stains:
(1) Sudan black (red)
(2) PAS
Negative stains:
(1) iron
(2) melanin
Autofluorescence under excitation from 360 to 647 nm:
(1) orange under UV light
(2) green or yellow under blue light
(3) red under green light
Autofluorescence can be quenched with a variety of treatments:
(1) picric acid fixation
(2) Sudan black treatment
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