[Biochemical analysis of the vitreous body of the eye in post-mortem diagnosis of diabetic coma].

The biochemical test of the vitreous body (VB) may be used in post-mortem diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and diabetic coma. Concentrations of glucose, lactate, keton bodies in the VB of the eye do not depend on duration of post-mortem period. Methods of diagnosis of hyperglycemic, hypoglycemic and ketoacidotic comas in the postmortem period are proposed. VB glucose over 17 mmol/l is a specific marker indicating death due to diabetic coma with hyperglycemia. Blood lactate under 16 mmol/l and glucose absence in the VB specifically mark death of hypoglycemic coma. In death of diabetic coma with ketoacidosis, a sharp rise in the level of VB ketonic bodies was observed.