Organophosphorus compounds may induce oxidative stress leading to generation of free radicals and alterations in antioxidant and scavengers of oxygen free radicals (OFRs). The effect of subchronic exposure to malathion in the production of oxidative stress was evaluated in male Wistar rats. Administration of malathion (100, 316, 1000, 1500 ppm) for 4 weeks increased catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in red blood cells (RBC) and liver. However, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cholinesterase (ChE) activities were decreased in these samples. The increase in RBC and liver lipid peroxidation correlated well with the inhibition in RBC AChE and liver ChE activities. Elevation of MDA concentrations and increased activities of CAT and SOD showed significant correlations in both RBC and liver samples when different doses of malathion were used. The results of the present study suggest the usefulness of RBC AChE measurement as a good biomarker in the estimation of malathion-induced oxidative stress affecting blood and liver.

Metal phosphides such as aluminum phosphide are potent insecticides. This highly toxic substance is used for rice and other grains protection in Iran. Due to its high toxicity potential and easy availability, it is widely used as a suicide poison. This substance has no effective antidote and the incidence of deaths due to its poisoning is increasing day by day in Iran. The present study was conducted to show the increasing incidence of fatal aluminum phosphide poisoning and its toxicological and forensic aspects in an 8-year study, 2006 to 2013. Autopsy sheets were reviewed and cases with the history of aluminum phosphide poisoning were selected. Toxicological analysis results, demographic and necroscopic examination findings were studied. A total of 51.8% of studied cases were female. Most of the cases were between 10 and 40 years old. The manner of death was self-poisoning in 85% of cases. Morphine, ethanol, and amitriptyline were the most common additional drugs detected in toxicological analysis. The incidence of fatal aluminum phosphide poisoning cases referred for phosphine analysis was 5.22 and 37.02 per million of population of Tehran in 2006 and 2013, respectively. The results of this study showed that in spite of ban and restrictions, there was a dramatic increase in the incidence of fatal aluminum phosphide poisoning in Tehran from 2006 to 2013. Safety alert should be highlighted in training program for all population groups about the toxic effects of aluminum phosphide tablets.

Methamphetamine abuse is a worldwide health concern. Methamphetamine causes health hazards in many vital organs. It can cause damage to cardiac tissue via

Suicide ranks among the top ten causes of death in all age groups all over the world. There are many methods for committing suicide including self-poisoning, firearm and hanging. The aim of the present study was to provide an overview of self-poisoning related suicidal deaths with special focus on forensic toxicology analysis results in Tehran, Iran from 2011 to 2015. All suspicious cases with the the history of self-poisoning were investigated to define the cause and manner of death under the supervision of forensic medicine practitioners. Postmortem samples were analysed in forensic toxicology laboratory to confirm the presence of drugs in cadaver of suicidal cases. Drugs and poisons were analysed using thin layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, headspace gas chromatography and gas chromatography equipped with nitrogen phosphorus detector. Demographic data were collected from autopsy reports of all cases with confirmed self-poisoning suicidal cause of death. Results showed that 674 cases of self-poisoning deaths were investigated during a five-year study period, of which 68.55% were male. The most often used suicide method was self-poisoning in young population. Phosphine gas liberated from aluminum phosphide tablets was the most toxic substance detected in postmortem samples (619 cases) followed by opioids, methamphetamine, organophosphates, cyanide and strychnine. In conclusion self-poisoning suicidal death was predominant in young male population in Tehran, Iran. It seems that free access to suicide means such as drugs and poisons should be restricted by national and health authorities. Not applicable.

Tramadol is a widely prescribed drug. Abuse of tramadol as well as tramadol-related deaths have been increasing in Iran. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the trends of tramadol-related deaths that occurred between 2005 and 2008 in Tehran, Iran. Biological samples obtained during the autopsy were analyzed. Tramadol was detected in 294 cases by itself or together with other drugs. The majority of the cases were young male adults. Tramadol-related deaths in 2008 were 32.5 times more than in 2005. These results suggest that tramadol-related fatalities are growing in Iran especially among substance abusers. L’examen du processus des morts provoquées par le Tramadol, Téhéran, Iran 2005-2008 Le Tramadol est un médicament fréquemment prescrit. L’abus et les décès qui lui sont dus augmentent de plus en plus en Iran. La présente recherche a pour objective d’examiner les décès dus à la consommation du médicament sur une période de quatre années à Téhéran et en Iran. Des prélèvements biologiques sur les résultats d’autopsie ont été analysés selon des procédés spécifiques et bien précis. Dans 294 cas de décès, le Tramadol a été détecté, seul ou en combinaison avec d’autres médicaments. La plupart des personnes décédées étaient des hommes jeunes. La mortalité provoquée par l’usage du Tramadol a été multiplié par 32/5 en 2008 par rapport à celle de 2005. Les résultats obtenus témoignent de l’augmentation de la mortalité chez les jeunes consommateurs Iraniens. La consideracion tendencia de fatalidad relativa de tramadol Teheran, Iran 2005–2008 Tramadol es una droga que receta mucho. El abuso y fatalidad relativa de tramadol han aumentado en Iran. El objetivo del estudio presente es evaluacion de muertes relativas de tramadol durante 4 años (2005–2008) en Teheran, Iran. Las muestras biologicas obtenidas de cadaveres fueron analizodos con instrumentos sensitivos y especificos. Tramadol fue hallado 294 casos o con otras drogas. La mayoria de los casos fueron adultos. Las muertes relativas de tramadol en 2008 en la comparacion con 2005, han aumentado 32.5 veces. Estos resultados sugere que la fatalidad relativo de tramadol esta cerciendo en Iran especialmente entre jovenes que tienen el precendente abuso. Las palabras importantes: tramadol, toxicologia forense, fatalidad, Iran