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Enzyme alterations in brain tissue during the early postmortal interval with reference to the histomorphology: Review of the literature

  • Übersichtsreferat / Review Article
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Summary

The state of research on enzyme alterations in brain tissue during the early postmortal interval is surveyed with special reference to the histomorphology; the questions currently discussed in the literature are given special consideration. The type of alterations appearing during the postmortal interval and their dependency on the length of the interval are described so that practically applicable conclusions may be drawn. The findings on enzyme alterations presented in the literature (enzymes of the oxidative metabolism, transmitter, enzymes) are compiled in tables.

It could be shown that important structural alterations ascertainable with light microscopy and quantitative alterations in enzyme activity ascertainable with biochemical methods do not usually occur during a 6- to 8-h postmortal interval. Qualitative investigations (i.e., histoenzymatic studies) with longer postmortal intervals and with positive findings are applicable.

Zusammenfassung

Es wird eine Übersicht zum Stand der Forschung über Enzymveränderungen im Hirngewebe während des frühen postmortalen Intervalls unter Berücksichtigung wesentlicher histomorphologischer Veränderungen gegeben. Dabei wird auf einige, augenblicklich im Schrifttum diskutierte Fragen eingegangen. Die Art der während des postmortalen Intervalls auftretenden Veränderungen sowie ihre Abhängigkeit von der Dauer des Intervalls werden beschrieben, um praktisch verwertbare Schlußfolgerungen zu ermöglichen. Die Befunde über Ezymveränderungen (Enzyme des oxidativen Metabolismus; Transmitter-Enzyme) aus dem Schrifttum werden tabellarisch zusammengestellt.

Es zeigt sich, daß in der Regel lichtmikroskopisch erfaßbare, wesentliche Strukturveränderungen ebensowenig wie wesentliche quantitative Veränderungen der biochemisch erfaßbaren Enzymaktivität während eines 6–8 h dauernden postmortalen Intervalls zu erwarten sind. Qualitative Untersuchungen im Sinne von histoenzymatischen Untersuchungen sind auch während länger dauernden Zeiträumen post mortem möglich und bei positivem Ausfall verwertbar.

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  1. Institute of Forensic Medicine and Institute of Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Nägelestr. 5, D-7400, Tübingen, Germany

    M. Oehmichen

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Oehmichen, M. Enzyme alterations in brain tissue during the early postmortal interval with reference to the histomorphology: Review of the literature. Z Rechtsmed 85, 81–95 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02092198

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