Demonstration of elastic fibres with reagents for detection of magnesium

Investigation of elastic fibres in various human and animal tissues with the reagents quinalizarin, magneson II, and titan yellow for the detection of magnesium revealed striking positive results. After pretreatment of skin and ligamentum flavum with elastase the tests were negative. The results support the supposition that the amount of magnesium in elastic fibres is sufficient for histochemical detection. It is speculated that the marked chelate-forming property of magnesium, or its antagonistic function to calcium, is associated with the elastic property of the fibres.