[Morphological changes in rabbits died of potassium intoxication].
OBJECTIVE
Morphologic features of the corpse of rabbits died of potassium intoxication were studied in order to elucidate an objective evidence for forensic determination of death caused by potassium intoxication.


METHODS
Macroscopic, microscopic, and ultrastructural (by transmission electron microscopy) changes were observed in the heart, brain, and kidney of rabbits killed by intravenous push or continuous infusion at 100 drips per minute with 0.3% and 1% KCl, respectively. Normal rabbits without any treatment killed by bleeding were used as controls.


RESULTS
Macroscopically, cardiac dilatation and congestion/stasis as well as ischemic and hypoxic changes in various organs were observed in rabbits died of potassium injection. Microscopically and ultrastructurally, there were destruction of the cardiac fibers with thickening, concentrating, or disappearing of the Z-line, constriction of the glomerular capillaries, enlargement of the Bowman capsule, thinning and fusion of foot processes, as well as apoptosis with phagocytosis in brain observed, particularly in the group infused with 1% KCl.


CONCLUSIONS
The morphologic changes observed in the heart and kidney appear to be characteristic, supporting death caused by potassium intoxication.
Zhu
Xin-ju
XJ
Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China. xjzhu_js@sina.com
Chen
Li-ping
LP
Li
Kai
K
Xu
Yong-cheng
YC
Ke
Yong
Y
Wang
Zhen-yuan
ZY
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002102:Cadaver; D002196:Capillaries / Q000473:pathology; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000379:methods; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D011188:Potassium / Q000506:poisoning*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011817:Rabbits
D011189:Potassium Chloride; D011188:Potassium