Hair analysis in the detection of long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and its relation to gastrointestinal hemorrhage: an examination of 268 hair and blood samples from autopsy cases

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used as analgesics and antipyretics in Western countries. Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are common side effects of NSAIDs and other drugs. This study investigated the correlation between chronic use of these substances and GI lesions by analyzing postmortem blood and hair samples from autopsy cases. This study included 268 hair and blood samples from autopsy cases. Deceased individuals with GI lesions were selected for the case group (n = 132) and those without any GI lesions were placed in the control group (n = 136). Collection of the samples took place from 2008 until 2010 at the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. HPLC-DAD was used to analyze the blood samples while hair samples were analyzed using LC-quadrupole-time-of-flight-MS. The proximal 0-6 cm hair segment was analyzed. The full length of shorter hair samples was analyzed when longer segments were unavailable. Method validation was performed according to the guidelines of the German Society of Toxicological and Forensic Chemistry (GTFCh). Twenty-three per cent of the case group blood samples included one or more NSAIDs while 19 % of the control group blood samples included one or more NSAIDs. In contrast, the hair analysis results demonstrated that samples from the control and case group differed significantly; 67 % of the case group tested positive for one or more NSAIDs while 38 % of the control group tested positive for one or more NSAIDs. Hair analysis results provided a strong indication of a relationship between frequent NSAID consumption and GI lesions.

Hair histology as a tool for forensic identification of some domestic animal species

“…Moreover, it may help to diagnose some toxic cases, e.g. arsenic, lead and molybdenum toxicity, and identify the duration of exposure (Harkey, 1993[ 12 ]; Henderson, 1993[ 13 ]; Krumbiegel et al, 2014[ 18 ]). In human, hair examination is used also to detect drug abuse e.g.…”

“…hair or bone, at a criminal scene may help to provide evidence for contact of a suspected assailant (Bertino and Bertino, 2015[ 2 ]; Knecht, 2012[ 17 ]), or to diagnose some toxic cases e.g. the presence of arsenic, lead or molybdenum in animasl (Harker, 1993[ 12 ]; Henderson, 1993[ 13 ]; Krumbiegel et al, 2014[ 18 ]). In restaurants, animal remain investigation can help to identify meat adulteration, e.g.…”

Development of a new method for identifying species affiliation based on forensic hair examination

“…There are a number of studies dedicated to detection of foreign matter in hair, including drugs (1,10,24), medicinal products (12,15), alcohol (2, 5, 10), toxic substances (13), explosives (20) and others (3,11). However, there is almost no data on the physical characteristics of hair, especially its melting point.…”

A Novel Application of a Cryosectioning Technique to Aid Scat Hair Microanalysis

“…In general, hair morphological analysis related to species identification may also be extended to cases involving forensic identification of animal artifacts in illegal trade cases ; forensic analysis of hair in pet abuse cases ; and forensic analysis of meat adulteration involving animal remains . Interestingly, morphological combined with elemental analysis of hairs may also provide additional information in cases of suspected poisoning and to determine geographical origin in wildlife forensic research . However, for investigators to discern discriminating hair morphological features, the use of a robust sectioning methodology that also allows downstream biochemical analysis of samples is key.…”