RESUMO
OBJECTIVE@#To explore the relationship of changes of amide A in rabbit heart and the postmortem interval (PMI) by FTIR spectroscopy technique.@*METHODS@#Thirty-two rabbits were sacrificed and the hearts were sampled at 20 degrees C within 48 h postmortem points. All samples were sliced and tested by FTIR spectroscopy technique. The images of amide A were created by FTIR spectroscopic imaging. The positive and negative area ratios of amide A were analyzed using imaging analysis system.@*RESULTS@#The positive and negative area ratios declined regularly with the prolongation of death time in 48 h. There was a significant quadric relationship between the area ratios (y) of amide A (positive and negative area) and PMI(x). The regression equation was y = 0.001x2-0.038x + 0.747(R2 = 0.940).@*CONCLUSION@#The ratios of positive and negative area of amide A showed a strong correlation with PMI and could be used to estimate PMI.