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[Relationship between postmortem change and biological reaction]
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Nihon Hoigaku Zasshi = the Japanese Journal of Legal Medicine
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Specific fatty acids, like 10-hydroxystearic acid, are key to adipocere formation. These compounds, biosynthesized by bacteria, are also found in living tissues, suggesting a link to biological reactions.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
Background:
- Adipocere, a postmortem change, is primarily formed by specific fatty acids and soap.
- Key fatty acids identified include 10-hydroxystearic acid and 10-hydroxypalmitic acid, along with their oxo-derivatives.
- These compounds contribute to the substantial formation and stabilization of adipocere.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of specific hydroxy fatty acids (OHFA) and oxo fatty acids (OXOFA) in adipocere formation.
- To explore the microbial biosynthesis of these fatty acids.
- To examine the presence and potential biological relevance of these fatty acids in living organisms.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of adipocere composition to identify key fatty acids.
- Investigation of microbial conversion of unsaturated fatty acids to OHFA using bacterial strains like Micrococcus luteus.
- Enzymatic studies using preparations from Flavobacterium meningosepticum to catalyze fatty acid hydration and dehydrogenation.
- Detection of 10-hydroxy-12-octadecenoic acid (10-OHLA) in adipocere and comparison with compounds found in living tissues.
Main Results:
- 10-hydroxystearic and 10-hydroxypalmitic acids are major components of adipocere, stabilized by soap.
- Microbial conversion, particularly by Micrococcus luteus, synthesizes 10-OHFA from cis-9-unsaturated fatty acids.
- Flavobacterium meningosepticum enzymes hydrate oleic acid to 10-hydroxystearic acid and can dehydrogenate it.
- 10-OHLA, found in adipocere, was also identified in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, potentially metabolized from leukotoxin (LTx).
Conclusions:
- Specific bacterial fatty acids are crucial for adipocere formation and stabilization.
- The presence of 10-OHLA in both adipocere and living leukocytes suggests a connection to biological processes, possibly inflammatory responses.
- Further research is warranted to understand the biological significance of these fatty acids found in postmortem changes.