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01-01-2011 | Original Article

Immunohistochemical examination of intracerebral aquaporin-4 expression and its application for differential diagnosis between freshwater and saltwater drowning

Authors: Jun-Ling An, Yuko Ishida, Akihiko Kimura, Toshikazu Kondo

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 1/2011

Abstract

Human brain samples were collected from 70 autopsy cases including 22 freshwater drowning (FWD), 26 saltwater drowning (SWD), and 22 non-drowning cases as controls. Then, immunohistochemical study combined with morphometry was carried out in order to examine the differential expression of AQP1 and AQP4 in the brain samples. Immunohistochemically, star-shaped cells bearing highly branched processes, often surrounding blood vessels, showed positive reactions for AQP1 and AQP4 in FWD, SWD, as well as control groups. Additionally, with double-color immunofluorescence analysis, AQP1- or AQP4-positive cells could be identified as GFAP-positive astrocytes. Moreover, AQP1-positive reaction was also observed in blood vessels. Morphometrically, there were no significant differences in AQP1 expression in astrocytes or in blood vessels among the three groups. In contrast, the average value of AQP4-positive astrocytes was significantly higher in FWD cases than in SWD and control groups. Moreover, AQP4 expression was significantly lower in SWD than in the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was no significant correlation between post-submerged interval and AQP expression in drowning cases. Therefore, immunohistochemical analysis of intracerebral AQP4 expression would be forensically useful for differentiation between FWD and SWD.

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Title: Immunohistochemical examination of intracerebral aquaporin-4 expression and its application for differential diagnosis between freshwater and saltwater drowning
Authors: Jun-Ling An
Yuko Ishida
Akihiko Kimura
Toshikazu Kondo
Publication date: 01-01-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 1/2011
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-010-0523-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Immunohistochemical examination of intracerebral aquaporin-4 expression and its application for differential diagnosis between freshwater and saltwater drowning

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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