Pro-resolving lipid mediators in traumatic brain injury: emerging concepts and translational approach

Despite the high mortality and disability associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI), effective pharmacologic treatments are lacking. Of emerging interest, bioactive lipids, including specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators of inflammation (SPMs), act to attenuate inflammation after injury resolution. The SPM lipidome may serve as a biomarker of disease and predictor of clinical outcomes, and the use of exogenous SPM administration represents a novel therapeutic strategy for TBI. This review article provides a comprehensive discussion of the current pre-clinical and clinical literature supporting the importance of bioactive lipids, including SPMs, in TBI recovery. We additionally propose a translational approach to answer important clinical and scientific questions to advance the study of bioactive lipids and SPMs towards clinical research. Given the morbidity and mortality associated with TBI with limited treatment options, novel approaches are needed.