Trace elements changes in the forebrain and their influence on the rats behavior in elevated plus maze in acute period of mild blast-induced traumatic brain injury

Abstract

The relevance of the study is related to the high frequency of blast-induced brain injury in both military and civilian populations, which is caused by the use of various types of explosives in military conflicts, including in Ukraine today.  Changes of biometals in the acute period of a mild blast-induced traumatic brain injury, including forebrain that participates in the implementation of various behavioral and cognitive processes, remain unexplained. The study was carried out on 54 sexually mature male Wistar rats, which were divided into 3 groups: experimental (influenced by a baroacoustic wave with an excess pressure of 26-36 kPa, previously anesthetized with halothane and softly fixed), sham (under the influence of halothane and fixation), intact. Behavior was studied in an elevated plus maze. Biometals in the forebrain were determined using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis. Standard deviation, Mann-Whitney U test (р<0.01, р<0.05), Spearman's correlation coef­ficient (r, р<0.01) were statistically calculated. According to the results of the study, behavioral changes in the elevated plus maze were found in the rats of the experimental group, which indicate the absence of fear on day 1 and 3 and the increase of anxiety on day 7 of the post-traumatic period. Spectral analysis of the forebrain showed significant (р<0.01) changes in the Cu/Fe, Cu/Zn and Zn/Fe ratios, which are the result of iron accumulation due to disruption of the blood-brain barrier. The obtained changes in the ratio of biometals lead to the development of anxiety, which is confirmed by correlation analysis. This indicates that the imbalance of biometals is an important secondary factor in the pathogenesis of blast-induced brain traumatic injury, which is important to consider for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of complications.