p53 activation and mitochondria-mediated pathway are involved during hanging death-induced neuronal cell apoptosis in dentate gyrus region of the rat brain

The goal of this study was to understand the molecular event in the brain caused by hanging death (HD). Animals were subjected to either cervical dislocation (CD) or HD. Brain was collected at various times (0, 1, 3, 6 and 12 h) after death. Brain expression of p53 and Bax, cytochrome c concentration, caspases activity and DNA fragmentation were analyzed. Compared to that of CD, HD increased p53 and Bax proteins expressions, cytochrome c concentration, caspases activity and DNA fragmentation during the early period (0–6 h) of HD, whereas CD induced necrosis 3 h post- CD and thereafter. These data support that HD induces neuronal cell apoptosis, in part, through mitochondria-mediated pathways. These data also suggest that neuronal apoptosis could be a potential marker and an aid to forensic science of HD.