Alcian Blue Stain in Raj Bhawan, Hyderabad

Like many other histology dyes, even Alcian Blue was initially used in the textile industry. But slowly and steadily, it has cemented its name as one of the most effective dyes to help you detect issues with your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The dye reacts with a certain type of carbohydrate, mucins, present in your GI tract and changes colour to give you a definite diagnosis.

The Alcian Blue Stain test is primarily used to detect an ailment known as Barrett's Oesophagus. This condition entails severe damage to your Oesophagus, causing it to become red and its lining to thicken.

This also results in the failure of the Lower Esophageal sphincter (LES), which is an important valve present between the stomach and Oesophagus.

So, if you start noticing the following symptoms, you should get the Alcian Blue Stain test done immediately:

• Difficulty swallowing food 
• Frequent heartburn 
• Constant and repeated regurgitation of all your stomach content 
• Vomiting red blood or coffee ground coloured blood
• Chest pain (not so common)
• Loss of weight 
• Passing of bloody, tarry, or black stool

This condition is due to the chemical imbalance in a carbohydrate found inside your GI tract, Mucin. If these mucins are acidic in nature, they attain a negative charge. An excess of these acidic mucins in your bloodstream will result in acid reflux which damages the walls of your GI tract.

This is the starting point for Barrett's disease. The damage caused to your GI tract walls will give rise to a disease called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. GERD then triggers a chemical change in the cells of the lower oesophagus lining. This, in turn, triggers Barrett’s disease.

The cause for this rise in acidity among mucins is still unclear. Also, Barrett’s disease reacts differently for different people. For instance, some people might have the disorder but won't show any symptoms of acid reflux. In such cases, the condition is referred to as silent reflux.

If you feel you might have some symptoms, getting tested should be a priority. Furthermore, you are more exposed to the disease if you fall under any of the following categories:

• A male
• A white person
• Above the age of 50 
• You have acid reflux and chronic heartburn 
• Overweight
• Have hiatal hernia
• Have a family history of Barrett’s disease or oesophageal cancer
• A smoker 

The Alcian Blue Stain Test detects the presence of Barrett’s Oesophagus by reacting with the negatively charged acidic mucins. Alcian blue consists of a copper-containing phthalocyanine ring that is positively charged. Hence, a reaction with the acidic mucins helps diagnose and understand the extent of Barrett’s Oesophagus.

The test also uses multiple pH variations of the Alcian blue, meaning your healthcare provider can also differentiate between the various types of acidic mucins in your GI tract.

If you wish to get rid of this ailment as quickly as possible, follow the steps given below:

• Bring in healthy changes to your diet.
• Avoid food that causes acid reflux (e.g., caffeine, fatty foods, spicy food, peppermint, chocolate, etc.)
• Lose weight 
• Avoid lying down for at least three hours post-eating.
• Take medicines with sufficient water
• Make sure the head of your bed is elevated. 
   

Medically reviewed by Dr. Naveen Polavarapu, Gastroenterologist, Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad