Scientist Solutions - Xlene Vs. Xlene substitutes

guy Posted 12/24/2008 10:26:02 AM	Hi All, Just last week I tried to do a small pilot study. I am trying to do the Histology of the Psoas major Muscle (Pig). Years ago I did a lot of histology and used for the Dehydration protocol Xlene as the final stage before the Parffinization. As all of us know Xlene is a very toxic and carcinogenic chemical. Knowing this I found couple of Xelen substitues: Slide Brite and Neo-clear. I used both and found out that they dont work as good as the Xlene. After Embedding in paraffin I tried to cut the sections 10um ( small pieces of muscle). The muscle was like powder. I just could not cut it. After speaking with couple of people from labs around Canada I found out that this is a known fact. All the substitutes are working very very very slow. Better to use them at the Deparaffininzation stage, after the slices are already cut. So Just to let all of you : Use Xlene at the Dehydration stage. Guy
Platelet Pete Posted 4/10/2009 8:04:36 PM	We have had the same issues with Xylene substitutes in the processing stage as well as in deparaffinizing. We went back to xylene.
ARGERINE Posted 4/11/2009 1:28:56 AM	Have you tried toulene. Its equally good as that of xylene.
guy Posted 4/14/2009 12:23:09 PM	No did not but got new Xylene now
ARGERINE Posted 4/15/2009 12:49:23 AM	Just in case things dont work........try gentle warming of your xylene at 60 C and give more changes to xylene. ALL THE BEST
peter36 Posted 5/5/2009 1:47:31 AM	Most of the xylene sub's will never work as well, IPA (iso propyl alcohol) has clearing properties, is micible with alcohol and wax and because it is an alcohol is alot less toxic and also has dehydrating properties. It is used in the final stage of processing before wax (replacing xylol alltogether). The results for embedding cutting and staining are the same. So as for processing or even dewaxing h@e's forget the replacements they never work as well or take double the time. pete