Osmium assay in fixatives and stained rat tissues by means of acid and o,o′-dihydroxo substituted monoazo dyes and some flavonoids

Abstract

Abstract New simple, rapid and accurate spectrophotometric techniques for osmium assays in fixatives and stained tissues have been elaborated using acid (Tropaeolin O, Tropaeolin OOO-I, Tropaeolin OOO-II, Orange G), o,o′-dihydroxo substituted azo dyes (Eriochrome Blue Black R, Acid Chrome Dark-Blue, Eriochrome Black T) and flavonoids (morin, quercetin, luteolin). Methods are based on sensitive osmium(IV) reactions with reagents and the formation of stable coloured compounds. Tolerance ratios of main matrix components of histological specimens during Os(IV) spectrophotometric determination with reagents has been established. Results of osmium determination in fixatives and fixed tissues, obtained by means of different reagents, appeared to be sufficiently similar, although effects of matrix components differ. The accuracy of spectrophotometric osmium assay in fixatives with azo dyes has been confirmed with voltammetric investigations. Results obtained from osmium uptake by rat gum tissues are valuable for clinical testing of dental drugs, indicating the influence of drug treatment on the gums.