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01-09-2012 | Original Article

Molecular pathology of natriuretic peptides in the myocardium with special regard to fatal intoxication, hypothermia, and hyperthermia

Authors: Jian-Hua Chen, Tomomi Michiue, Takaki Ishikawa, Hitoshi Maeda

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 5/2012

Abstract

The present study investigated the molecular pathology of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP) in the myocardium to evaluate terminal cardiac function in routine forensic casework with particular regard to fatal drug intoxication (n = 18; sedative–hypnotics, n = 10; methamphetamine, n = 8), hypothermia (cold exposure, n = 13), and hyperthermia (heatstroke, n = 10), compared with that in acute ischemic heart disease (AIHD, n = 35) and congestive heart disease (CHD, n = 11) as controls (total n = 87; within 48 h postmortem). Quantitative analyses of myocardial ANP and BNP messenger RNA demonstrated that their expressions in bilateral atrial and ventricular walls were high in methamphetamine intoxication and hypothermia, comparable to those in AIHD and CHD, but were low in sedative–hypnotic intoxication and hyperthermia. In pericardial fluid, both ANP and BNP levels were increased in hypothermia, while CHD cases had an elevated BNP level, and ANP level showed a tendency to increase in hyperthermia; however, immunohistochemistry showed no evident differences in myocardial ANP and BNP among the causes of death. These findings suggest terminal high cardiac strain in methamphetamine intoxication, decreased cardiac strain in sedative–hypnotic intoxication and hyperthermia (heatstroke), and persistent congestion in hypothermia (cold exposure).

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Title: Molecular pathology of natriuretic peptides in the myocardium with special regard to fatal intoxication, hypothermia, and hyperthermia
Authors: Jian-Hua Chen
Tomomi Michiue
Takaki Ishikawa
Hitoshi Maeda
Publication date: 01-09-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-012-0732-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Molecular pathology of natriuretic peptides in the myocardium with special regard to fatal intoxication, hypothermia, and hyperthermia

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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