Hematologic Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury in Adult Wistar Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Damage to the brain’s vasculature and parenchyma contributes to the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) which triggers secondary effects, including edema, inflammation, and hyper excitability. Delayed responses to TBI include neovascularization, impaired cerebral blood flow, glial cell dysfunction, and cell degeneration.

Aim: This study aimed to examine the hematologic effects of traumatic brain injury in adult wistar rats.

Methods: Eighty (80) adult wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups (A–E). Group A served as control. Groups B, C, D and E were induced traumatic brain injury with 50g, 100g, 150g, and 200g weights respectively using Marmarou method. 2ml of blood was collected from the medial orbital cantus a week before the trauma to establish a baseline and subsequently at 5 hours, 24 hours, 7 days, and 21 days post-trauma.

Results: The results of hematology showed a decrease in red blood cells count and its differentials across all traumatized groups at every interval compared to the control group. In contrast, platelet counts, white blood cells, and its components increased in all traumatized groups at every interval compared to the control group.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that TBI significantly affects the overall blood count.