I am staining for lipids in adherent cells using oil red O. I often see this step in various staining protocols for adherent cells.
One of the reasons might be that oil-soluble dyes (Oil Red O, etc.) stain lipids by being more soluble in the lipids than in their solvents (in this case 60% isopropanol)
Since Oil red o working solution contains 60% isopropanol, I believe that you do this step to equilibrate your sample before you start staining.
I am using Oil red o in 0.5% propylene glycole (O1516- Sigma). Would it still need the isopropanol step?
I would then equilibrate in propylene glycole, i attach a protocol i found online. I hope this helps.
* By the way, the protocol is for tissue sections, but i believe you can apply it to adherent cells as well
NO, you don't need to use both propylene glycol and isopropanol. You can use any one of them.
One of the reasons might be that oil-soluble dyes (Oil Red O, etc.) stain lipids by being more soluble in the lipids than in their solvents (in this case 60% isopropanol)
After washing with 60% isopropanol some protocols mention that wee need to dry completely. So I think it is not for equilibration but to help removing the formalin and water from the previous step.
im trying the oil o red staining with both protocols but the staining is not appropriate. Can any one share the complete protocol
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