Free ceramide (on its own, not as part of a sphingomyelin
molecule) does not have interesting chemical properties
that allow a specific histochemical stain for it. If
present in high concentration it should be stainable
with oil red O, sudan black B and similar dyes. 

A positive result, however, will tell you only that
the cells contain enough lipid to be stainable, not
which lipid it is. Immunohistochemistry might be
a possibility. I did look in a couple of catalogues,
but failed to find any anti-ceramide antibodies.
-- 
-------------------------
John A. Kiernan
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
The University of Western Ontario
London,   Canada   N6A 5C1
   kiernan@uwo.ca
   http://publish.uwo.ca/~jkiernan/
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HYTEN_MONTY_J@LILLY.COM wrote:
> 
> Good morning!  I would like to ask the group for assistance in
> assessing ceramide accumulation primarily in beta
> cells of pancreatic islets.  Ceramide, I am told, is a product
> of lipid accumulation.  I am hopeful someone out there
> can identify a histochemical procedure or will oil red o of
> frozen pancreas give us what we are looking for?
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> Monty Hyten
> Eli Lilly and Company
> Greenfield, IN  46140
> 317-655-9542
> hyten_monty_j@lilly.com

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