Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

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

Ola A. Habotta, Department of forensic medicine and toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, EgyptFollow
Ahmed Ateya, Department of animal wealth development, Faculty of veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
Ahmed Abdeen, Department of forensic medicine and toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Toukh, Egypt
Iman Ibrahim, Department of pathology, Faculty of veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
Mohamed M. Badawy, Department of forensic medicine and clinical toxicology, faculty of medicine, Mansoura university 35516, Egypt.
Ahmed M. Zeina, Department of plastic and reconstructive surgery, faculty of medicine, Mansoura university 35516, Egypt.

Corresponding Author

ola Habotta

Authors ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0067-2838

Document Type

Original Article

Subject Areas

Anatomy and histology; Pharmacology and toxicology; Surgery

Keywords

Forensic diagnosis; oxidative stress; skin burn; vital reaction; Nrf-2/Keap-1 pathway

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.

How to Cite This Article

Habotta, Ola A.; Ateya, Ahmed; Abdeen, Ahmed; Ibrahim, Iman; Badawy, Mohamed M.; and Zeina, Ahmed M. (2023) "Oxidative stress-related biomarkers as forensic biomarkers for burned skin vitality in rats," Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal: Vol. 24: Iss. 3, Article 10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35943/2682-2512.1135