Post-mortem hypoxanthine levels in the vitreous humour. An introductory report

Post-mortem hypoxanthine levels in vitreous humour were determined in 86 consecutive legal autopsy cases. In cases of sudden death caused by trauma or by myocardial infarction, levels ranging from 0 to 540 mumol/l were found. The mean value was about ten times higher than normal in vivo plasma levels. The hypoxanthine levels seem to be independent of time post-mortem, at least during the first 48 hours. It is known that augmentation of the hypoxanthine plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine levels reflects tissue hypoxia. In the present material no elevation of hypoxanthine levels in the vitreous humour was found in cases of strangulation or suspension, while statistically significant elevation was found in cases of drug intoxication. It is concluded that this may reflect the effect of drug-induced prolonged tissue hypoxia caused by respiratory depression.