Assessment of Antioxidant Reserves and Oxidative Stress in Cerebrospinal Fluid after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Infants and Children

Studies in experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI) support a key role for oxidative stress. The degree of oxidative injury in clinical TBI, however, remains to be defined. We assessed antioxidant defenses and oxidative stress in pediatric TBI by applying a comprehensive battery of assays to cerebrospinal fluid samples. Using a protocol approved by our institutional review board, 87 cerebrospinal fluid samples from 11 infants and children with severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤8) and 8 controls were studied. Cerebrospinal fluid was drained as standard care after TBI. CSF was assessed on d 1, 2, and 5–7 after ventricular drain placement. Biochemical markers of oxidative stress included F2-isoprostane and protein sulfhydryl (detected by ELISA and fluorescence assay, respectively). Antioxidant defenses were measured by determination of total antioxidant reserve (via chemiluminescence assay), and ascorbate (via HPLC) and glutathione (via fluorescence assay) concentrations. Free radical production (ascorbate radical) was assessed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. F2-isoprostane was markedly increased versus control, maximal on d 1 (93.8 ± 30.8 pg/mL versus 7.6 ± 5.1 pg/mL, p < 0.05). Total antioxidant reserve was reduced versus control. Reduction was maximal on d 5–7 (81.8 ± 3.7 μM versus 178.9 ± 2.2 μM, p < 0.05). Ascorbate was remarkably reduced (53.8 ± 8 μM versus 163.8 ± 21 μM on d 1, p < 0.05). Ascorbate depletion was likely associated with its free radical oxidation, as evidenced by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Glutathione levels increased on d 1, then decreased versus control (0.19 ± 0.05 μM versus 1.2 ± 0.16 μM, p < 0.05). This is the first comprehensive study of antioxidant reserve and oxidative injury in clinical TBI. Progressive compromise of antioxidant defenses and evidence of free radical–mediated lipid peroxidation are noted. These markers could be used to monitor antioxidant strategies in clinical trials.

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