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Updated: Oct 16, 2026
Dissection of Human Vitreous Body Elements for Proteomic Analysis
Published on: January 23, 2011
Lack of correlation of postmortem vitreous humor calcium concentration with antemortem serum calcium concentration
Insights
Postmortem vitreous calcium levels do not significantly change after death and show no correlation with antemortem serum calcium. Therefore, vitreous calcium measurements are not useful for diagnosing antemortem serum calcium abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Biochemistry
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Vitreous humor calcium concentrations have been previously measured.
- Comparisons between postmortem vitreous calcium and antemortem serum calcium are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare postmortem vitreous calcium concentrations with antemortem serum calcium levels.
- To determine the utility of vitreous calcium measurements in diagnosing antemortem serum calcium abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of vitreous humor calcium in 30 postmortem cases.
- Comparison of postmortem vitreous calcium with available antemortem serum calcium data.
Main Results:
- Mean postmortem vitreous calcium concentration was 6.8 mg/dL.
- No significant postmortem change in vitreous calcium was observed.
- No significant correlation was found between vitreous calcium and antemortem serum calcium.
Conclusions:
- Vitreous calcium appears to be regulated by an active transport mechanism.
- Postmortem vitreous calcium levels are not indicative of antemortem serum calcium status.
- Vitreous calcium measurements are not recommended for evaluating suspected antemortem serum calcium abnormalities.
Abstract:
Although results of several studies measuring calcium concentrations in vitreous humor have been published, comparisons of postmortem vitreous calcium with antemortem serum calcium have not been made. In a study of 30 cases in which antemortem calcium results were available, the mean vitreous calcium concentration was 6.8 mg/dL. There was no significant change in vitreous calcium postmortem nor significant correlation between vitreous calcium and antemortem serum calcium. Experimental observations suggest that vitreous calcium is regulated by an active transport mechanism. Vitreous calcium measurements do not appear to be useful in evaluating suspected antemortem abnormalities of serum calcium.
