Electron-cytochemical detection of endogenous nickel in the myocardium in acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Applicability of a new cytochemical technique in forensic medicine.

After acute carbon monoxide poisoning (inhalation, dogs; perfusion, rats; postmortem, humans) endogenous nickel was cytochemically detected in heart muscle by dimethylglioxime reaction. Dimethylglioxime cytochemical reaction, in each case at the COHb level, was always positive in experiments and in postmortem samples. A nickel ion accumulation in the heart muscle above 30 rel.% of COHb was suggested. A possible role of nickel ion in the pathomechanism of the acute carbon monoxide poisoning was supposed. This dimethylglioxime cytochemical technique is applicable in forensic medical practice, primarily because it is not disturbed by autolysis.