Argentaffinity

Argentaffinity is the property of some cells to secrete biologically active substances in response to exposure to silver ions.

The term "argentaffinity" comes from the Latin words argentum, which means "silver", and affinis - "affinity, characteristic." It was introduced into scientific use in 1903 by the Italian histologist Giulio Argenti to designate the ability of some cells to be stained with silver salts.

Argentaffinity is possessed by various endocrine cells that secrete biologically active substances - hormones, mediators, etc. These cells include enterochromaffin cells of the intestine that produce serotonin, cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas that produce insulin, and others.

Upon contact with silver ions, degranulation of argentaffin cells occurs - they release granules containing biologically active substances. This process causes the staining of such cells with silver salts during histological examination.

Argentaffinity is widely used in histochemistry to detect and identify cells secreting biologically active compounds. Determining argentaffinity helps diagnose various pathologies associated with the endocrine system.

Argentaffinity is the property of some cells to secrete the contents of secretory granules when stained with silver salts.

The term "argentaffinity" comes from the Latin words argentum ("silver") and affinis ("affinity"). It was introduced in the early 20th century to describe the ability of intestinal enterochromaffin cells and some other cell types to turn brown or black when reacted with silver salts.

Argentaffin cells contain biologically active substances such as serotonin and histamine in their secretory granules. Upon contact with silver ions, these substances are released from the granules and precipitated in the form of insoluble silver compounds, which gives the cells a dark color.

Argentaffinity testing is used in histology and pathology to identify and study certain types of cells and tumors. For example, they study the argent affinity of cells in carcinoid disease. This method is also used to diagnose neuroendocrine tumors.