Detection of serum S-100B protein in patients with severe head injury receiving mild hypothermia treatment

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of mild hypothermia for brain protection by detecting the changes in serum S-100B protein in patients with severe head injury and investigate the possible mechanism. Methods With 100 healthy volunteers as the control group, 100 patients with severe head injury (Glascow Coma Score ≤ 8) received treatment with mild hypothermia (n=50) or normothermia (n=50). Serum samples were collected from the patients early (2-6 h) after the injury and at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days after the injury to measure the levels of S-100B protein. Results In healthy subjects, the serum level of S-100B protein was not associated with age or gender. Patients with severe head injury receiving mild hypothermia treatment and normothermia treatment showed significant differences in serum S-100B protein level from the control group (P<0.01). The patinets with mild hypothermia treatment had significantly lower serum S-100B level than those treated with normothermia atl, 3, 5, 7, and l0 days after the injury (P<0.05). Conclusion Serum S-100B protein has high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of severe head injury, and may serve as an effective biochemical indicator. Mild hypothermia may protect the brain tissue of patients with severe head injury. Key words: Severe head injury; Mild hypothermia treatment; S-100B protein