Brain death and the moral code of islam

A Response to the Legitimacy of Brain Death in Islam

Brain death is a novel construct of death for the procurement of transplantable organs. Many authoritative Islamic organizations and governments have endorsed brain death as true death for organ donation. Many commentators have reiterated the misconception that the Quranic text does not define death. We respond by clarifying: (1) the Quran does define death as biologic disintegration and clearly distinguishes it from the dying process, (2) brain death belongs scientifically within the spectrum of neurologic disorders of consciousness and should not be confused with death, and (3) religious and legal discord about brain death has grown in jurisdictions worldwide. We urge for public transparency and truthfulness about brain death and the accommodation and respect of religious objection to the determination of death by neurologic criteria.

Effect of sufentanil preconditioning on liver apoptosis induced by brain death in rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of sufentanil against liver apoptosis induced by brain death in rats.

METHODS: Eighteen SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: a sham operation group, a brain death group and a sufentanil group. Activation of cytochrome c (Cyt-c) and Caspase3 was examined by the immunohistochemical staining (IHC) and Western blot. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end nick-end labeling assay (TUNEL). Brain death was induced by gradually increasing intracranial pressure (ICP). Sufentanil (10 μg/kg) was injected 1 h before induction of brain death.

RESULTS: Liver tissue samples harvested after brain death showed increased activation of Cyt-c and Caspase3 (P < 0.05). Consistent with this, TUNEL analysis confirmed apoptosis in the liver following brain death. Sufentanil significantly decreases levels of Cyt-c and Caspase3 compared to the brain death group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Sufentanil preconditioning has a protective effect in reducing liver apoptosis induced by brain death in rats.