Pathological changes of brain tissues from contused and contralateral non-contused sides and their significance

Abstract

Objective To investigate the pathological changes of brain tissues from contused and contralateral non-contused sides and their significance.Methods A total of 100 healthy adult Wistar rats were assigned to brain contusion group and sham operation group according to the random number table.Ten rats in each group were sacrificed at 1,3,6,12,and 24 hours respectively.Brain samples were collected to perform pathophysiological analysis of brain tissues and test blood brain barrier (BBB)permeability by semiquantitative immunohistochemical staining of IgG.Results There was no damage to the bilateral brain tissues in sham operation group and IgG stain was negative.In brain contusion group,angioedema characterized by the breakdown of BBB was seen in the contused side at 1 hour followed by cellular edema at 3 hours,with aggravation of both over time.Moreover,tissue necrosis,inflammatory cell infiltration,and microglia proliferation emerged at 12 hours.Besides,IgG-positive staining was seen at 1 hour,was strongest at 6 hours,and remained a high level at 24 hours.With respect to the non-injured side in brain contusion group,no pathological abnormalities and negatively stained IgG were observed at 1 hour; cellular edema and weakly positive-stained IgG were found at 3 hours; aggravated cellular edema,emergence of angioedema,and IgG strongly positive staining were noted at 6 hours;cellular edema continued aggravation,but angioedema tended to be attenuated,IgG staining weakened,and microglia proliferation were observed at 12-24 hours.Conclusion Pathological changes of brain tissues from the contused and contralateral non-contused sides are differed,which provides a basis in determining treatment choices. Key words: Brain injuries ; Brain tissues ; Immunoglobulins