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01-11-2010 | ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Postmortem redistribution of THC in the pig

Authors: Bertrand Brunet, Thierry Hauet, William Hébrard, Yves Papet, Gérard Mauco, Patrick Mura

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 6/2010

Abstract

To improve the knowledge of the postmortem redistribution of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an animal model using the Large White pig has been developed, whereby 15 pigs received an intravenous injection of THC (200 µg/kg body weight) and were euthanized 2 h after administration. An autopsy was performed on three pigs immediately after being euthanized while the others were stored in supine position at ambient temperature for 6, 15, 24, or 48 h. THC concentration in blood from the vena cava decreased after death whereas left or right cardiac blood concentrations increased. No blood specimens collected from different sites of the carcasses adequately reflected the perimortem THC concentrations. The highest concentrations of THC at anytime were observed in lung tissue, and brain tissue seemed to present the most stable concentrations over time. This study can assist toxicologists in determining which specimens can, most appropriately, be used for interpretation of cannabinoid concentrations in postmortem specimens.

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Title: Postmortem redistribution of THC in the pig
Authors: Bertrand Brunet
Thierry Hauet
William Hébrard
Yves Papet
Gérard Mauco
Patrick Mura
Publication date: 01-11-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 6/2010
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-009-0403-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Postmortem redistribution of THC in the pig

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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