Objective
The study investigates experimental brain trauma in rabbits, assessing levels of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and compares these biomarkers among trauma groups.
Methods
Thirty rabbits were randomized to a control group (n=6) or to mild-, moderate-, and severe-trauma groups (n=8 each) created by dropping 200, 350, or 500 g weights, respectively, onto their skulls using a modified Marmarou impact acceleration model. CSF and venous blood samples were collected at 0, 12, and 24 hours after injury; UCH-1 L, GFAP, and IL-6 concentrations in CSF and serum were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and group differences were analyzed with a Friedman test followed by Dunn-Bonferroni correction.
Results
Neither CSF nor serum concentration of GFAP, IL-6, or UCH-L1 differed from those of controls after mild trauma. Severe head trauma produced markedly higher GFAP and IL-6 concentrations in CSF compared with the control group (P<0.05), with both biomarkers peaking at 12 hours after injury. Serum UCH-L1 increased significantly in both moderate-trauma (peak at 12 hours) and severe-trauma groups (peak at 24 hours) compared with the control group (P<0.05), whereas no intergroup difference in CSF UCH-L1 levels was evident.
Conclusion
Serum UCH-L1 differentiated moderate and severe trauma from controls in a rabbit model, whereas CSF GFAP and IL-6 levels reflected severe injury. Validation in larger preclinical and clinical studies is warranted.