[Histonet] More on Re: Michel's medium for skin biopsies

[Gayle Callis]

If I remember correctly, the Zeus tissue "fixative" IS Michels transport 
medium and merely made, packaged and marketed under the Zeus "fixative" 
name by Zeus Scientific although we purchased it through a vendor, Wampole 
(?) and in my estimation, calling this reagent Zeus fixative has caused 
confusion for time immemorial.  Go to this website and read up on it 
www.zeusscientific.com .  All information is complete on use,, etc with 
extensive references.

WE considered making up Michels in house, but after long discussions with 
Jules Elias and reading the following publications:

1.  J Elias.  New method for shipment of renal biopsies.  J Histotechnology 
(1(1):15-16, 1977

Elias indicated via private conversation it acted via protein denaturation 
in Michels or "fixative" solution which was then reversed by the rinse 
buffer before snap freezing, cryotomy and immunofluorescent staining.

2.  Michel B et al,. Preservation of tissue fixed immunoglobulins in skin 
biopsies of patients with lupus erythematosis and bullous dieases - 
preliminary report (original publication).  J Investigative Dermatology, 
59(6):449-452, 1973

We decided to purchase it from the vendor under the "Zeus" fixative label 
along with the rinse buffer.  We later changed supplier to Poly Scientific 
due to larger quantity for less expense and repackaged it ourselves to make 
up  renal biopsy shipping kits for our customers.

We had to have biopsies within 72 hours.

At 08:40 AM 8/24/2005, you wrote:
>Hi Paul,
>
>Michel's is a transport media not a fixative as Robyn indicated.  It is 
>similar to Zeus in some components.  It really depends on what you need a 
>fixative or something to move the tissue and preserve the antigenic sites 
>during that process.  The transport media are generally only good for 
>holding 24 to 48 hours with most recommending 24 hours or less for EM.
>
>Good Luck,
>Pam Marcum
>
>-------------- Original message --------------
>
> > Paul,
> > I believe Michels is a transport media, not a fixative media. You don't 
> want
> > the tissue fixed, if you are doing antibody testing on it, in the fresh 
> tissue
> > sense. I use Zeus Tissue Transport Media, my doctor seems to like it 
> better.
> >
> > Robyn
> > OHSU
> >
> > >>> "Atkinson Paul B" 8/24/2005 2:18 AM >>>
> >
> > We are considering using Michels's transport medium for skin biopsies 
> in our
> > laboratory. Have other laboratories found its use worthwhile? The original
> > 1973 paper only mentions the effect on immunoglobulin staining, is it also
> > effective in preserving complement antigenicity? Also how long does the
> > tissue need to be in the fluid for the 'fixation' to occur?
> >
> > Many thanks
> >
> > Paul Atkinson
> >
> >
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Gayle Callis
Research Histopathology Supervisor
Veterinary Molecular Biology
Montana State University - Bozeman
PO Box 173610
Bozeman MT 59717-3610
406 994-6367
406 994-4303 (FAX)