Renal immunohistochemical investigation for the differentiation of the cause of multiple trauma fatalities

Abstract In fatalities with multiple traumatic injuries, it is important to determine the severity of trauma, the main damaged organ, and the antemortem pathophysiological condition. We examined 63 cases within 48 h of the postmortem interval, which included assaults, slips and falls and falls from heights, traffic accidents, and sharp instrumental injuries. Immunohistochemically, each kidney was stained against hemoglobin (Hb), myoglobin (Mb), superoxide dismutase (SOD), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 150 kDa oxygen regulated protein (ORP150), pulmonary surfactant A (SP-A), and liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP). Bleeding or circulatory failure induced ORP150, 8-OHdG, and L-FABP in the kidney. Statistical analysis of the immunoreactivity revealed that in battered and/or abused cases, Hb could be considered a specific marker. Hb and Mb were observed in the cases with general severe trauma, such as slips and falls and falls from heights. In traffic accidents, ORP150 could reflect general circulatory failure with bleeding. SP-A was observed in the cases with severe thoracic injuries, such as lung injuries and multiple thoracic fractures. L-FABP appeared in cases with renal circulatory failure as well as renal injury. These findings suggest that immunohistochemical observation of the kidneys could be a useful tool in determining several key factors, such as the severity of injury, the specific damaged organ, and the pathological condition after injury.