[DNA degradation of porcine retinal cells for estimation of postmortem interval].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate DNA degradation of porcine retinal cells by single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) for estimation of postmortem interval (PMI).


METHODS
Degradation of retinal cells was observed by SCGE at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24h after death respectively, under the environmental conditions of being kept in dark place as well as a controlled temperature of (15 +/- 2) degrees C and humidity of (50 +/- 5)%. The comet pictures were captured by fluorescence microscope and analyzed by single cell gel electrophoresis (IMI 1.0).


RESULTS
From 2h to 24h postmortem, the degree of degradation of retinal DNA increased with the prolongation of PMI. The postmortem regression functions of head DNA%, L(T)/L(H), I(T)/I(H) were y = 92.227-5.188 x + 0.019 x2 + 0.001 x3 (R2 = 0.971), y = 0.035e(0.191x) (R2 = 0.947), y = 0.099e(0.264x) (R2 = 0.955), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The examination of retinal cell DNA degradation by SCGE is useful for estimating PMI.
Department of Forensic Pathology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China. fch76@126.com
Chao
C
Fang
Xiao-hong
XH
Lin
Hua-lan
HL
Jing
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D020552:Comet Assay / Q000379:methods*; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors
D004247:DNA