A study for neuron apoptosis and expression of caspase3 in the human primary brainstem injury

Objective To study the neuron apoptosis and expression of caspase3 in the brainstem of the victims died from primary brainstem injury.Methods Neuron apoptosis and expression of caspase3 in dorsal nucleus of vagus nerve and reticular formation were evaluated quantitatively at different posttraumatic time points(t≤5min;5mint≤15min;15min t≤1h;1h t≤24h) by HE,immunohistochemistry,and TUNEL assay.Results TUNEL-positive neurons(23.2%) were detected in the brainstems of the PBSI group from 15 min to 1 h after injury.Caspase3-positive neurons(28%) could be seen by immunohistochemical staining in the brainstem after injury,which increased in number with extension of posttraumatic interval.Conclusion The detection of neuron apoptosis and expression of caspase3 in the brainstem can provide a morphological method for diagnosis of PBSI in forensic pathology.