Comparison of Picric Sirius red staining and MASSON staining in evaluation of cardiac fibrosis

Objective To compare picric Sirius red staining and MASSON staining method in evaluation of mouse cardiac fibrosis.Methods 10 week old BALB/C male mice were given subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol(5mg/kg/d) for 14 days,which induced cardiac fibrosis model successfully.In order to observe the collagen deposition,we prepared paraffin sections by using the mouse heart specimen,and carried out picric Sirius red staining and MASSON staining respectively.Results Both picric Sirius red staining and MASSON staining method could clearly show the collagen fibers,and similar localization.There was no significant difference on the fibrosis area(P0.05).However,under polarized light,we could clearly distinguished the type I and type III collagen fiber by using picric Sirius red staining but not MASSON staining.Conclusion Picric Sirius red staining is better than MASSON staining to be used for the evaluation of cardiac fibrosis.