Diagnosis of cerebral ischemia and investigation of the cause of death in the bathtub by quantifying acrolein from autopsy specimens

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K23170
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0908:Society medicine, nursing, and related fields
• Research Institution: Jikei University School of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Matsumoto Sari 東京慈恵会医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (20754881)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-09-11 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: アクロレイン / 脳梗塞 / クモ膜下出血 / 脳出血 / 脳梗塞 / 死後検体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Acrolein produced during brain infarction, has been used in clinical settings for brain infarction risk assessment. However, few studies have investigated the diagnostic usefulness of acrolein measurement in postmortem specimens. In this study, we measured the acrolein concentration in postmortem specimens to assess its potential as a marker for stroke diagnosis. Acrolein concentrations in the serum and urine were measured using an ELISA in brain infarction, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), cerebral hemorrhage, and control cases, respectively. The serum acrolein concentrations increased significantly in specimens from brain infarction, SAH, and cerebral hemorrhage cases. Conversely, the urinary acrolein concentrations decreased in specimens from SAH and cerebral hemorrhage cases, suggesting dilution due to higher urine volumes. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the measurement of serum acrolein in postmortem specimens is effective in diagnosing stroke.

Free Research Field

法医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

浴槽内で突然死する高齢者が非常に多く、原因解明や予防法は長年の課題である。脳虚血が原因という説もあるが、剖検例において急性期脳虚血は診断が困難であり、新たな脳虚血診断法の確立が強く望まれている。アクロレインは脳虚血患者において、血液中濃度が上昇すると言われている物質である。アクロレインが死後検体における脳虚血診断マーカーとなることを証明することで、浴槽内溺死例と脳虚血の関連性を解明し、浴槽内溺予防法の提言に貢献することができる。