POSTMORTEM AUTOLYTIC RESPONSE IN RAT BRAIN LYSOSOMES

Rat cerebral lysosomes were investigated during postmortem autolysis to determine the effect of the length and temperature of storage. A lysosome enriched fraction was isolated by differential ultracentrifugation and there was found to be a progressive increase in fragility as the length of storage increased. However, those lysosomes which survived the homogenisation procedure exhibited similar properties for at least 6 h after death if storage was at 21°C. Changes apparent after further storage for 18 h at 4°C were also detected in a shorter period if the temperature of storage was increased. The results suggest that, coupled with an all-or-none rupture of the lysosomes, there is a small increase in the permeability of the lysosomes shortly after death. In many respects the characteristics of the intact lysosomes up to 6 h after death resemble those obtained immediately.