IDENTIFICATION OF FATTY-ACID METHYL-ESTERS (FAMES) IN POSTMORTEM TISSUE - A NEW MARKER OF ALCOHOL-ABUSE

Based on a method that combines thin layer chromatography and gas chro matography, it proved possible to detect postmortem fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) in human tissues (pancreas, liver, heart and adipose ti ssue). The highest concentrations were found in the pancreas, medium c oncentrations in the liver and adipose tissue and the lowest concentra tions in heart tissue. All tissues contained higher concentrations of unsaturated FAMEs than saturated FAMEs. In order to evaluate the influ ence of alcohol consumption on the formation of FAMEs, the deceased we re divided into three groups: control group, chronic alcoholics (who w ere alcohol free at the time of death), and acutely alcohol-intoxicate d subjects (so intoxicated at the time of death with no evidence of ch ronic alcohol abuse). In comparison to the control group, the organs o f the chronic alcoholics showed only slight values, the tissues of the acutely intoxicated subjects were obviously higher. Based on the vary ing concentration distribution in the three groups, it seemed that pos tmortem differentiation of the alcohol consumption which existed befor e the time of death would be possible. After further investigation wit h a greater number of samples, FAMEs could become a useful supplement to existing alcohol markers in the future. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science I reland Ltd.