Sulfide Concentrations in Postmortem Mammalian Tissues

Abstract

Postmortem changes in sulfide concentrations in body tissues were examined in autopsied rats exposed to hydrogen sulfide concentrations of 550 to 650 ppm, and in nonexposed rats and humans. Analyses were made by gas chromatography, following an extractive alkylation. Sulfide concentrations in the blood, liver, and kidneys of rats increased in both the exposed and nonexposed groups, depending on the lapse of time after death. On the other hand, the lung, brain, and muscle showed little or no change in sulfide concentration with elapse of time after death. The data obtained from human tissues were almost the same as those for rats, except data for blood, in which no or little increase of sulfide was observed.

The usefulness of thiosulfate as an indicator of hydrogen sulfide poisoning: three cases

“…The concentration of sulfide in the blood at the time of autopsy was 0.95 µmol/ml, which was extremely high compared to the levels obtained following the exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas [1][2][3][4][5]17]. In our animal experiments comprising oral administration of sodium sulfide [6], the concentration of sulfide (0.32 µmol/ ml) was much higher than that of thiosulfate (0.04 µmol/ ml).…”

Toxicological analysis of 17 autopsy cases of hydrogen sulfide poisoning resulting from the inhalation of intentionally generated hydrogen sulfide gas

“…In general, the hydrogen sulfide concentration in blood is affected by the postmortem interval and environmental temperature, as hydrogen sulfide is produced during the putrefaction of sulfur-containing organic substances [26]. In cases with longer postmortem time intervals in this study, if the corpse was exposed to highly concentrated hydrogen sulfide gas in a sealed space, the possibility of dermal absorption of hydrogen sulfide should be considered.…”

Hydrogen sulfide poisoning: Clarification of some controversial issues

“…Here again, however, there are situations that may result in the artifactual absence or presence of sulfide in biological specimens, obfuscating interpretation of laboratory values. For instance, hydrogen sulfide rapidly disappears from blood during life [Evans, 1967], and it has been shown to either increase or decrease during in vitro storage, depending on the nature of the specimen, storage temperature, and initial sulfide concentration [Nagata et al, 1990]. Sulfide concentrations in blood and tissues such as liver and kidney may increase dramatically due to biodegradation during room-temperature or refrigerated storage.…”

“…Refrigeration of bodies during the interval from death to autopsy, frozen storage of specimens in airtight containers until analysis, and the demonstration of potentially lethal levels of sulfide (1-5 mg/L or mg/kg) in blood, lung, and skeletal muscle will provide the best corroboration of a ruling of death due to acute hydrogen sulfide intoxication [Nagata et al, 1990].…”