Characterization of Carbon Monoxide Fatalities by Metabolomics

ABSTRACT

Metabolite profiling of postmortem blood in carbon monoxide poisoning cases was performed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry based on metabolomics. All data were processed with an automated mass spectral deconvolution and identification system and the metabolites were characterized using the National Institute of Standards and Technology library. Discriminant analysis was performed and the carbon monoxide-induced biomarkers were determined with a variable importance parameter in the projection plot obtained from partial least square discriminant analysis. This metabolomics approach, including global metabolites profiling, is useful in improving the interpretation of metabolism in carbon monoxide poisoning deaths.

KEYWORDS:

• Carbon monoxide intoxication
• gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
• metabolomics
• pattern analysis