Controlled Decompression Alleviates Brain Injury via Attenuating Oxidative Damage and Neuroinflammation in Acute

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A Preclinical Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Hemorrhage Contusion and Neuroinflammation
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A Preclinical Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Hemorrhage Contusion and Neuroinflammation

Published on: June 10, 2020

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Chonghui Zhang1, Xiao Qian1, Jie Zheng1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, The 904th Hospital of PLA, Medical School of Anhui Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214044, China.

Biomed Research International
|February 21, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Controlled decompression (CDC) offers better neuroprotection than rapid decompression (RDC) for acute intracranial hypertension. CDC reduces brain damage by lowering oxidative stress, inflammation, and specific protein levels (UCH-L1 and GFAP).

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Neuroscience
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Clinical studies confirm controlled decompression (CDC) benefits acute intracranial hypertension (AICH) patients, mitigating complications from rapid decompression (RDC).
  • This study investigates the therapeutic potential of CDC using ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in an AICH rabbit model.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the neuroprotective efficacy of CDC compared to RDC.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying CDC's therapeutic effects in AICH, focusing on UCH-L1 and GFAP.

Main Methods:

  • Male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into sham-operated, CDC, and RDC groups.
  • Plasma and brain tissue were analyzed for UCH-L1, GFAP, oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory cytokines using ELISA and Western blot.
  • Neurological scores, brain water content, and protein expression via qPCR and immunofluorescence were assessed.

Main Results:

  • CDC significantly improved neurological function and reduced brain water content compared to RDC.
  • CDC attenuated neuronal degeneration, oxidative damage, and inflammatory responses more effectively than RDC.
  • Plasma UCH-L1 and GFAP levels were significantly lower in the CDC group post-operation.

Conclusions:

  • Controlled decompression (CDC) demonstrates superior neuroprotective effects compared to rapid decompression (RDC) in an acute intracranial hypertension model.
  • CDC attenuates oxidative damage and inflammatory responses.
  • CDC downregulates UCH-L1 and GFAP levels, contributing to its neuroprotective benefits.
Abstract

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