An autopsy case of heatstroke under the influence of psychotropic drugs.

We present here a fatal case of heatstroke, involving olanzapine and levomepromazine medications. A male in his sixties was found dead in his storage room in the middle of August, with a high rectal temperature. Autopsy revealed congestion of the lungs without any specific findings. Quantitative toxicological analysis demonstrated concentrations of olanzapine, levomepromazine, 7-aminonitrazepam, and 7-aminoflunitrazepam in a femoral blood sample of 0.433 µg/mL, 0.177 µg/mL, 0.604 µg/mL, and 0.041 µg/mL, respectively. The concentration of olanzapine exceeded toxic levels; however, levomepromazine level was within the therapeutic range. Due to the blocking mechanism of both olanzapine and levomepromazine against muscarinic receptors, they might depress sweating and impair heat dissipation. Based on autopsy findings, results of toxicological examination, and investigation by the authorities, we concluded that the cause of death was heatstroke under the influence of olanzapine and levomepromazine.

Medicolegal implication of an autopsy case of methidathion ingestion.

We present an autopsy case involving ingestion of methidathion, an organothiophosphate pesticide. A headspace gas chromatography mass spectrometry system was used for screening of volatile compounds. Subsequent toxicological analysis was performed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Xylene and ethylbenzene were detected in stomach contents. We also identified methidathion at concentrations of 3.07 and 2240 µg/ml in femoral venous blood and stomach contents, respectively. We concluded that the victim ingested methidathion insecticide, with an estimated dose of at least 9.2 g.

Detection of toluene, methanol and formic acid in the autopsy case of a solvent abuser.

A fatal case of abuse of solvent containing mixture of toluene and methanol is presented. Concentrations of toluene, methanol and formic acid in a femoral venous blood sample were 20.1 mg/L, 210 mg/L and 25.2 mg/L, respectively. From the autopsy findings and toxicological examination, we concluded that the cause of death was poisoning by toluene and methanol.

Ethanol metabolism in ALDH2 knockout mice--blood acetate levels.

We described here blood acetate levels in aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 knockout (ALDH2 KO) male mice based on C57BL/6J strain after ethanol (EtOH) dosing (2 g/kg). Blood samples were collected at 30, 60, 90, 120 180, and 240 min after decapitation, and then EtOH, acetaldehyde (AcH) and acetate were determined by head-space gas chromatography. We found that blood acetate levels in ALDH2 KO mice were slightly lower than those in wild type (WT), whereas EtOH and AcH levels in ALDH2 KO were significantly higher than those in WT. These observations indicate that high EtOH, AcH and low acetate in the blood of ALDH2 KO are due to the deficient effect of ALDH2 enzyme activity.