What does PAS stain highlight in liver tissue?

Study for the Histopathology and MTLE Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Gain insights into the exam format, essential topics, and tips to excel your preparation!

Multiple Choice

What does PAS stain highlight in liver tissue?

Explanation:
PAS staining targets carbohydrates. The reaction oxidizes vicinal diols in sugars to aldehydes, which then react with Schiff reagent to give a magenta color. In liver, glycogen is a major PAS-positive substance, so hepatocytes with glycogen stores stain vividly. Using diastase (amylase) before PAS digestion removes glycogen, so what remains helps distinguish glycogen from other carbohydrate-rich materials such as mucopolysaccharides and glycoproteins. This is why the best answer encompasses glycogen and other carbohydrate-rich substances, while lipids, proteins, or nucleic acids are not the primary targets of PAS in this context.

PAS staining targets carbohydrates. The reaction oxidizes vicinal diols in sugars to aldehydes, which then react with Schiff reagent to give a magenta color. In liver, glycogen is a major PAS-positive substance, so hepatocytes with glycogen stores stain vividly. Using diastase (amylase) before PAS digestion removes glycogen, so what remains helps distinguish glycogen from other carbohydrate-rich materials such as mucopolysaccharides and glycoproteins. This is why the best answer encompasses glycogen and other carbohydrate-rich substances, while lipids, proteins, or nucleic acids are not the primary targets of PAS in this context.

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