Post Mortem Redistribution of Drugs: Current State of Knowledge

Title:Post Mortem Redistribution of Drugs: Current State of Knowledge

Volume: 23 Issue: 36

Author(s): Caroline Sastre, Christophe Bartoli, Valerie Baillif-Couniou, Georges Leonetti and Anne-Laure Pelissier-Alicot*

Affiliation:

• APHM, Hopital de la Timone, Service de Medecine Legale, Marseille,France

Keywords: Post mortem redistribution, drug reservoirs, cell autolysis, putrefaction, neoformation, physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters, post mortem samples.

Abstract: Background: Drug concentrations obtained from post mortem samples do not necessarily reflect the concentrations at the time of death, and variations of concentration may be observed between different sites and/or different sampling times. These phenomena, collectively termed post mortem redistribution, concern numerous molecules (medications, drugs of abuse, gases, etc.) and can complicate the interpretation of toxicological analyses.

Methods: Literature review.

Results: The mechanisms that cause these phenomena are complex and often intricate. Certain organs, which concentrate the molecules before death, may release them very early in the vascular sector. The gastrointestinal tract, liver, lungs and myocardium are mainly concerned. Cell autolysis also plays a part in drug release. Furthermore, micro-organisms (mainly bacteria and yeasts) which colonize the organism during putrefaction may cause neoformation and/or the degradation of certain molecules. Lastly, it appears that the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic profile of xenobiotics, notably their lipophilic nature, their ionization state and their volume of distribution may be factors likely to influence redistribution phenomena. Some recommendations concerning anatomic sampling sites, sampling methods and sample storage make it possible to limit these phenomena.

Cite this article as:

Sastre Caroline , Bartoli Christophe , Baillif-Couniou Valerie, Leonetti Georges and Pelissier-Alicot Anne-Laure *, Post Mortem Redistribution of Drugs: Current State of Knowledge, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2017; 23 (36) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612823666170622111739