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Preparation and Respirometric Assessment of Mitochondria Isolated from Skeletal Muscle Tissue Obtained by Percutaneous Needle Biopsy
Published on: February 7, 2015
[Microbial ATP in rat muscle tissue and its application for the estimation of postmortem interval]
Qian Liu1, Yi-Xin Weng, Fan Yang
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Objective:
To study the relationship between the changes of microbial ATP in rat muscle tissue and the postmortem interval (PMI).
Methods:
Healthy SD rats were sacrificed and their muscles were sampled at different postmortem intervals. The concentration of microbial ATP was detected using bioluminescent assay and the data was statistically analyzed.
Results:
The content of microbial ATP in rat muscle tissue increased along with PMI extension and peaked on postmortem day 7, thereafter decreased gradually, but increased slightly on postmortem day 10 once again. The PMI correlated best with the content of microbial ATP in rat muscle tissue within 9 days. If the PMI was the independent variable, the cubic polynomial regression equation was y = 0.020x(3) - 0.166x(2) - 0.666x + 13.412 (r2 = 0.989, P < 0.01).
Conclusion:
Changes of microbial ATP content in rat muscle tissue may be used for estimation of PMI. Since this assay requires only small amount of tissue with much less influence by self-decomposition, it may broaden the time range of PMI estimation.
Insights
Microbial ATP in rat muscle tissue increases with postmortem interval (PMI), peaking around day 7. This microbial ATP assay offers a new method for estimating PMI, even with minimal tissue samples.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
Context:
- Accurate postmortem interval (PMI) estimation is crucial in forensic investigations.
- Traditional methods for PMI determination can be limited by factors like temperature and tissue degradation.
- Microbial activity is a known factor influencing decomposition and postmortem changes.
Purpose:
- To investigate the correlation between microbial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in rat muscle tissue and the postmortem interval (PMI).
- To evaluate the potential of microbial ATP as a biomarker for PMI estimation.
Summary:
- Microbial ATP concentration in rat muscle tissue was measured using bioluminescent assay at various postmortem intervals.
- Results showed a significant increase in microbial ATP with extended PMI, peaking on postmortem day 7, with a notable secondary increase on day 10.
- A cubic polynomial regression model (y = 0.020x^3 - 0.166x^2 - 0.666x + 13.412, r^2 = 0.989, P < 0.01) demonstrated a strong correlation between microbial ATP and PMI within the first 9 days.
Impact:
- Microbial ATP levels in muscle tissue show promise as a reliable indicator for estimating postmortem intervals.
- This method requires minimal tissue samples and is less affected by autolysis, potentially extending the window for accurate PMI determination in forensic science.
