The dynamics of changes in biochemical markers of the state of tissue in intercostal muscles during the early postmortem period.

AIM: The aim of study was to evaluate structural and biochemical changes in the tissue of intercostal muscles during the early postmortem period (PMP) - 3-13 hours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Absolute and relative values of the concentration of glycogen, acid phosphatase, lactate, lactate degydrogenase, lipofuscin and cholinesterase during the early PMP were determined on 30 human corpses by results of study of the tissue of intercostal muscles. RESULTS: It was proved that the early PMP was characterized by proper biochemical and biophysical changes of the muscular tissue, the most demonstrative of them were as follows: a reduction in the concentration of glycogen and dynamic increases in the concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase and lipofuscin. For all six biochemical markers, representative absolute and relative values of their popstmortem content in homogenates of intercostal muscles depending upon the prescription of death coming were obtained. It was found out that the concentration of glycogen during the analysed time intervals ranged from (7.821±0.0649) mg/g in 3 hours after death coning to (3.204±0.030) mg/g in 13 hours after the coming of death, reliably (p<0.001) differing every 2 hours of PMP. The dynamics in the concentration of lactate were found to be demonstrative and characterized by its progressive (p<0.01) increase within the period of 9 hours from the moment of death coming: from (6.847±0.042) mmol/g after 3 hours to (12.960±0.085) mmol/g after 9 hours. The level of lipofuscin concentration in the analysed time intervals progressively rose too: from (2.258±0.031) U/g in 3 hours to (5.589±0.030) U/g in 13 hours, reliably (p<0.001) differing every 2 hours of PMP. CONCLUSIONS: Paired correlative indices between biochemical and biophysical markers of the state of tissue of intercostal muscles were examined in their systemic relationships and proper system-creating coefficients were determined by six time intervals of the early PMP, in its turn making it possible to substantiate those of them that were criterially significant for increasing the accuracy of diagnosis of prescription of death coming.

The Role of Heavy Metal Salts in Pathological Biomineralization of Breast Cancer Tissue.

BACKGROUND: The process of pathological biomineralization plays an important part in the morphogenesis of tumors. The role of heavy metal salts in the pathological mineralization of breast cancer tissue should not be ruled out, considering their ability to enter into covalent bonds with calcium salt molecules. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the microelement composition of breast cancer calcifications and the participation of heavy metals in their formation process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material for the study consisted of 20 specimens of breast cancer tissue in which calcifications had been found in histological tests (hematoxylin-eozin and alizarin red S staining). The chemical composition of the calcifications was studied using a scanning electron microscope with an energy-dispersive spectrometer. RESULTS: Alizarin red S staining detected the presence of concrements in tumor tissue and rings of calcification around these deposits. Examining the biomineralization with energy dispersive spectrometry showed that along with calcium and phosphorus, it contained microelements such as iron, zinc, copper, chromium and nickel, which can replace calcium ions in the exterior part of hydroxyapatite molecules. This causes the hydroxyapatite molecule's molar mass to increase and its solubility to decrease; its chances of being deposited in tumor tissue also increase. This implies that an increased intake of heavy metal salts in organisms can lead to pathological mineralization of breast cancer tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive intake of heavy metal salts into the body leads to their involvement in the pathological mineralization of breast cancer tissue. This happens due to these salts bonding to hydroxyapatite molecules, direct sedimentation of proteins and increasing degenerative-necrotic changes in breast cancer tissue as the mineralization process progresses.