Use of Aquaporins as Biomarkers in Drowning Cases: Review Paper
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/q7ewfh77Keywords:
Aquaporins, drowning, biomarkers, diatom test, immunohistochemistry, forensic pathologyAbstract
Drowning remains a major challenge in forensic practice, particularly in distinguishing whether immersion occurred
before or after death and in differentiating between freshwater and saltwater drowning. Traditionally, the diatom test
has been the primary tool for confirming drowning, but its limitations in sensitivity and specificity highlight the need for
alternative approaches. Aquaporins (AQPs), a family of water channel proteins, have emerged as potential biomarkers in
drowning investigations due to their role in water transport and osmotic regulation. This review consolidates findings from
published studies that employed immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) to evaluate the expression
of AQP subtypes (AQP2, AQP4, AQP5) in lung, kidney, and brain tissues. Evidence indicates that hypo-expression
of AQP5 is associated with freshwater drowning, while AQP2 and AQP4 show distinct patterns useful in differentiating
drowning types. By highlighting these results, the study emphasizes that aquaporin markers may complement or even
improve upon the diatom test, offering a promising diagnostic tool in forensic investigations of drowning deaths.
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