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Lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in postmortem serum
C A Hornick1, H N Baker, G T Malcom
1Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans.
Summary
Postmortem serum analysis up to 24 hours can accurately reflect premortem lipoprotein and apolipoprotein profiles. This finding supports using postmortem samples to study atherosclerosis development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pathology
- Forensic Medicine
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a major cause of mortality.
- Correlating lipoprotein profiles with atherosclerotic lesions requires reliable patient data.
- Postmortem serum analysis feasibility for these markers is often questioned.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of using postmortem serum for lipoprotein and apolipoprotein profiling.
- To correlate these profiles with atherosclerotic lesions at autopsy.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of pre- and postmortem serum samples from dogs and monkeys.
- Analysis of lipoprotein and apolipoprotein profiles (A-I, B, E, A-IV).
- Electrophoretic mobilities and gradient gel immunoblotting for apolipoprotein size distribution.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in apolipoprotein A-I, B, E, and A-IV serum concentrations were observed up to 24 hours postmortem compared to premortem values.
- Electrophoresis and immunoblotting showed no alterations in apolipoprotein size distribution postmortem.
- Lipoprotein profiles remained stable in postmortem serum for up to 24 hours.
Conclusions:
- Postmortem serum sampling up to 24 hours is a viable method to approximate premortem lipoprotein and apolipoprotein profiles.
- This approach can be effectively used in studies correlating these profiles with atherosclerotic lesions.
- Careful sampling techniques are essential for reliable postmortem biomarker analysis.