Serum Dynamics of Electrolytes, Lipid profile, and Neuro-Behavioral Severity Score in Traumatic Brain Injury-induced Albino Rat Models

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a pervasive public health concern globally, with millions of reported cases annually. This study investigates the impact of TBI on neurobehavioral deficits, electrolytes and lipid metabolism in albino rat models at different time points within 24 hours. Twenty-eight albino rats were randomly divided into four groups of seven rats each; Group I (Non traumatized, Control), Group II (Traumatized and sacrificed at 0 minute), Group III (Traumatized and sacrificed at 30 minutes), Group IV (Traumatized and sacrificed at 1hour), Group V (Traumatized and sacrificed at 24 hours). TBI was induced using a weight drop method after anesthesia with xylazine and ketamine at 5mg/kg and 80mg/kg respectively. A neurological severity test was carried out to determine the neurobehavioral deficits of rats in all the experimental groups. Blood sample was collected after sacrifice at 0 hour, 30 minutes, 1hour, and 24hours respectively in plain sample bottle, and serum was collected for electrolyte and lipid profiles. A mild neurological impact at 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 24 hours post-injury was recorded as indicated by the lack of progression in the NSS-R score. There was a significant increase in sodium, potassium and chloride after TBI.Lipid profile analysis showed a significant increase in total cholesterol levels, while triglyceride levels remain stable post-TBI. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) was significantly decreased post-TBI, while Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels had no significant change post-TBI. Induction of traumatic brain injury can result in profound electrolyte imbalance and dyslipidemia within 24 hours, thus serving as baseline data for proposed therapeutic interventions.