Site-dependent production of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in the early postmortem period.
This study compared endogenous gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) concentrations in various postmortem fluid samples of 25 autopsy cases. All bodies were stored between 10-20 degrees C until autopsy, and the intervals between death and autopsy were less than 2 days (6-48 h). GHB concentrations were measured by headspace gas chromatography after GHB was converted to gamma-butyrolactone. Endogenous GHB concentrations were significantly higher in femoral venous blood (4.6+/-3.4 microg/ml, n=23) than in cerebrospinal fluid (1.8+/-1.5 microg/ml, n=9), vitreous humor (0.9+/-1.7 microg/ml, n=8), bile (1.0+/-1.1 microg/ml, n=9) and urine (0.6+/-1.2 microg/ml, n=12). GHB concentrations were similar in blood samples taken from different sites. Cut-off limits of 30 and 10 microg/ml are proposed for blood and urine, respectively, to discriminate between exogenous and endogenous GHB in decedents showing no or little putrefaction (postmortem intervals usually 48 h or less). The criterion established for endogenous GHB in postmortem urine may also be applicable to analytical results in cerebrospinal fluid, vitreous humor and bile from deceased persons.
Moriya
Fumio
F
Department of Legal Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi 783-8505, Japan. moriyaf@med.kochi-u.ac.jp
Hashimoto
Yoshiaki
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001646:Bile / Q000737:chemistry; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000737:chemistry; D010496:Pericardium / Q000737:chemistry; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000737:chemistry
D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; C111420:4-hydroxybutyric acid