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Postmortem evaluation of cholesterol, triglyceride, and apolipoprotein levels
Charlotte Girard1, Maria Pia Scarpelli1, Camilla Tettamanti2
1CURML, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Chemin de la Vulliette 4, 1000, Lausanne, Switzerland.
International Journal of Legal Medicine
|August 20, 2017
Summary
Postmortem serum cholesterol and apolipoprotein levels in femoral blood can estimate antemortem values in forensic cases with coronary artery atherosclerosis. Triglyceride levels may differ, and fluid samples are unreliable for correlation.
Area of Science:
- Forensic science
- Biochemistry
- Cardiovascular pathology
Background:
- Lipid and apolipoprotein analysis in forensic settings faces challenges due to postmortem molecule stability and measurement reliability.
- Previous studies show conflicting results regarding the accuracy of postmortem lipid measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reliability of postmortem serum lipid and apolipoprotein measurements for estimating antemortem values.
- To investigate the correlation between lipid profiles and the severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis in forensic cases.
- To evaluate the suitability of femoral blood, pericardial, and pleural fluids for postmortem biomarker analysis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, apolipoprotein B100, and apolipoprotein A-I in antemortem and postmortem serum samples.
- Measurement of biomarkers in postmortem serum from femoral blood, pericardial fluid, and pleural fluid.
- Correlation of biomarker levels with the degree of coronary artery atherosclerosis.
Main Results:
- Postmortem serum total cholesterol and lipoprotein levels were generally lower than antemortem levels, while triglyceride levels were higher.
- No significant correlation was found between postmortem serum levels and pericardial or pleural fluid levels for any biomarker.
- Severe coronary artery atherosclerosis cases showed higher postmortem serum levels of total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B.
Conclusions:
- Postmortem serum levels of cholesterol and apolipoproteins in femoral blood are suitable for estimating antemortem values in forensic cases with coronary artery atherosclerosis.
- Triglyceride levels in postmortem serum may not accurately reflect antemortem concentrations.
- Pericardial and pleural fluids are not reliable sources for assessing antemortem lipid profiles.
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