Re-evaluating the AgNOR staining response in Triton X-100-treated liver cells by image analysis

The response of liver cell nuclei to a variant of the AgNOR method, which includes a treatment with Triton X-100 prior to staining assumed to improve the quality of the AgNOR-positive images, was compared to that of the usual method by image analysis procedures. The objective was to determine whether Triton X-100 removes proteins from the nuclei to the point of affecting the AgNOR response. Statistically significant differences were not found in comparisons of a nuclear area/AgNOR-stained area ratio nor in the number of AgNOR-positive dots/aggregates. It was thus assumed that the Triton X-100 treatment did not remove nuclear proteins likely to affect the AgNOR response, though it induced a cleaner background and, consequently, a clearer contrast between the stained areas and the background.