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HMGB1: A new marker for estimation of the postmortem interval.
Kiyoshi Kikuchi1, Ko-Ichi Kawahara, Kamal Krishna Biswas
1Division of Laboratory and Vascular Medicine, Field of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disorders, Department of Advanced Therapeutics, and ; Department of Neurosurgery, Omuta City General Hospital, Omuta 836-8567;
This study investigated High Mobility Group Box-1 (HMGB1) levels in rat serum to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI). HMGB1 levels showed a time-dependent increase, suggesting its utility in determining time since death in forensic investigations.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
Background:
- Accurate estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is crucial in forensic medicine.
- Chemical methods are increasingly utilized for time since death determination.
- High Mobility Group Box-1 (HMGB1), a protein released during necrosis, is a potential biomarker.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of postmortem serum High Mobility Group Box-1 (HMGB1) levels for estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) in rats.
- To analyze the correlation between HMGB1 levels and time since death under different storage temperatures.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of serum HMGB1 levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Analysis of 90 male Wistar rat serum samples stored at 4°C, 14°C, and 24°C.
- Time-course analysis of HMGB1 concentrations postmortem.
Main Results:
- Serum HMGB1 levels exhibited a time-dependent increase up to seven days at 4°C.
- At 14°C, HMGB1 levels peaked at day 3, then plateaued.
- At 24°C, HMGB1 levels peaked at day 2, followed by a plateau.
Conclusions:
- Postmortem serum HMGB1 levels demonstrate a correlation with the postmortem interval in rats.
- HMGB1 shows potential as a biochemical marker for PMI estimation in forensic science.
- Temperature significantly influences the kinetics of HMGB1 release and degradation postmortem.
