Objective:To investigate the stability of heart fatty-acid-binding protein(H-FABP)for the postmortem diagnosis of early myocardial infraction.Methods:Rabbit model of myocardial ischemia was induced by ligating the anterior branch of the left coronary artery.The areas of H-FABP depletion in the ischemic myocardial cells were studied by immunohistochemistry

image analysis technique and statistical system.Results:The specimens of normal myocardium kept at 4℃ for 1 to 2 days showed homogenous brown reactions for H-FABP.The depletion of H-FABP became evident when these specimens were kept at 4℃ for 3 days after death

and the depletion area increased with the lapse of postmortem interval.The depletion area of H-FABP in ischemic myocardial tissue also increased with the lapse of postmortem interval.The results of image analysis indicated that the depletion area of H-FABP in ischemic myocardial tissue within 4 d were significantly different from that in the normal control group(P<0.01)

while within 5 d the depletion area of H-FABP in the two groups was not significantly differen(tP>0.05).Conclusion:The H-FABP shows medium postmortem stability

and small influenced by autolysis

which is suitable for detection in corpses at 4℃ 4 days after death.H-FABP as a marker for postmortem diagnosis of AMI has some practical value in forensic medicine.