Lipid (Oil Red O) staining Kit

Lipid droplets are found in all eukaryotic organisms. They function as reservoirs of neutral lipids, primarily triacylglycerol and cholesterol esters. The stored lipids can be used for energy, steroid synthesis, or membrane formation. Lipid droplet accumulation is a normal function in cells. Adipocytes consist predominantly of lipid droplets; however excessive lipid droplet accumulation within cells can be an indicator of metabolic deficiency or pathogenesis. For example, excessive accumulation of lipids in liver cells (steatosis) can lead to cellular dysfunction. At the onset of atherosclerosis, macrophages engulf oxidized-LDL, develop into foam cells, and contribute to artery narrowing. BioVision’s Lipid (Oil Red O) Staining Kit allows selective detection of neutral lipids within cultured cells. The kit also includes Hematoxylin to stain nuclei. This kit provides enough reagents to stain two (2) 96-well plates, two (2) 6-well plates, or four (4) 100 mm culture dishes.