Oxidative stress-related biomarkers as forensic biomarkers for burned skin vitality in rats

Abstract

Objective: In forensic practice, the diagnosis of whether a skin injury is inflicted in life or not is a challenging research topic. Therefore, new reliable biomarkers of vitality are urgently required. In this study, biochemical, molecular and histopathological techniques were used to explore the role of oxidative stress biomarkers in differentiating antemortem from postmortem burn injury. Design, animals and procedures: Eighteen male rats were allocated to three groups: normal unburnt group, antemortem burn group and postmortem burn group. Results: The analysis of skin specimens revealed a notable increase in MDA levels together with a decrease in GSH and TAC in both burnt groups compared to the controls. The molecular results revealed marked upregulation of Nrf-2 and downregulation of Keap-1 gene expression in the skin under thermal injury. These oxidative biomarkers were significantly higher in vital burns than in the postmortem burns. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Our findings suggest that cellular oxidative injury markers are helpful tools for the forensic diagnosis of vital burn reaction.