An improved histochemical technique for differentiating adrenaline- and noradrenaline-containing cells

Background: Sevki's histochemical technique allows specific staining of catecholamine-containing cells, yet discrimination between adrenaline- (ADR-) cells and noradrenaline- (NOR-) cells is unreliable, being based on hue differences. Methods: In this work, histochemical differentiation of ADR- and NOR-cells in rat adrenal medulla was carried out by introducing two modifications to Sevki's technique: 1) employment of aged Giemsa solution, and 2) addition of an alkaline differentiating step. Results: With these changes, ADR-cells stained brown, whereas NOR-cells were deep-green, resulting in a clear-cut differentiation. Conclusions: The modified technique permits to differentiate ADR- from NOR-cells in the adrenal medulla using only a bright field microscope without any sophisticated equipment. The present procedure is inexpensive and easy to carry out.