Histosonda®

Neurotensin is a 12 amino acid long peptide that is extensively found in all catecholamine producing neurons in the brain.

Its main physiological effect is to increase vascular permeability producing hypotension and cyanosis.

Some disperse neuroendocrine system cells also produce Neurotensin, principally those found in the small intestine and lung.

To date there have been described a small number of patients with neuroendocrine tumors that produced Neurotensin whose clinical presentation was very similar to that of VIPoma patients.

Some patients with pancreatic VIPomas also produce Neurotensin.

Histosonda Neurotensin consists of a single stranded DNA fragment that is 257 nucleotides long, labeled with digoxigenin.

INTENDED USE

For use in In Vitro Diagnosis.

The Kit Histosonda Neurotensin is useful for the diagnosis of tumors producing this peptide.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

The Kit Histosonda Neurotensin has been designed for professional use in In Vitro Diagnosis and must be manipulated by qualified and accordingly trained personnel.  In order to obtain the best results, the instructions contained in the manual must be followed. Any change to the indicated temperatures, times or any other step of the process can lead to poor results.

KIT COMPONENTS

The Kit includes 20 single test tubes of Histosonda Neurotensin; 20 single test tubes of Proteinase K and 2 tubes of Anti-Digoxin antibody sufficient for 20 tests in total.  All products are lyophilized.

Histosonda Neurotensin consists of a single stranded DNA fragment with a length of 257 nucleotides targeted against Neurotensin mRNA.  The DNA of this probe has been labeled with digoxigenin.

STORAGE CONDITIONS

Supplied reagents are stored at room temperature until their expiration date. After being reconstituted the probes will remain stable for two weeks at 4ºC in a DNAase-free environment.  The Anti-Digoxin can be stored at 4ºC for 1 month and the Proteinase K must be used immediately and cannot be stored.  Do not use these products after their expiration dates.

SAMPLES

Any paraffin block section in which Neurotensin RNA presence is to be studied. Sections of 4-6 micrometers in width are sufficient to conduct the study. Preferably, the cut should be recent (no more than thirty days old). Assay results are not affected by block age. Studies have been carried out in the manufacturer's laboratories using 20 year old paraffin blocks with optimal results.

INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS

Samples in which Neurotensin expression is observed will show a brownish color in the cell cytoplasm, which will contrast over the blue-violet background given by hematoxylin staining. The pathologist will evaluate the results according to their experience, drawing conclusions from the staining of the sample in parallel with the staining observed in positive and negative controls.

ASSAY LIMITATIONS

The Kit Histosonda Neurotensin has been optimized to detect RNA expression in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Its use is not recommended for other types of samples or preparation techniques.

The correct operation of this kit has been validated using the protocols indicated in the instructions manual. The use of other procedures or the modification of the recommended protocols may lead to erroneous results.

The results from this assay must be evaluated by the pathologist in combination with the rest of available patient clinical data.

In order to obtain optimal and reproducible results it is important to rigorously maintain the time and temperature conditions indicated in the procedure.