OBJECTIVETo evaluate the performance of a new highly efficient and environment-friendly tissue cell fixatives for preserving the morphologies and properties of pleural and peritoneal effusions.

METHODSFifty-six specimens of tissue cells from pleural and peritoneal effusions were preserved using the new preservative or 95% ethanol. HE staining and Western blotting were employed to detect the morphologies and protein expression levels of CK, CEA and P53 of the cells after fixation.

RESULTSThe new preservative well preserved the morphologies of the cells from the pleural and peritoneal effusions, and the nuclei and cytoplasm were intact with little debris. The conventional preservative (95% ethanol) caused noticeable structural damage of the tissue cells, especially the cytoplasm where obvious debris were seen after fixation. CK, CEA and P53 protein expression levels in the cells were 91%, 86% and 88% after fixation with the new preservative, significantly higher than those (46%, 38% and 31%, respectively) in cells fixed with 95% ethanol (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe new preservative is efficient and environment-friendly for preserving the morphologies as well as the proteins of tissue cells from pleural and peritoneal effusions well, demonstrating its potential in tissue cell fixation and preservation.