The state of antioxidant system and emotional status in rats with mild blast-induced traumatic brain injury

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate the markers of emotional status and the antioxidant system activity in rats with blast-induced traumatic brain injury. Materials and methods. The study carried out on 85 sexually mature male Wistar rats in compliance with the current legislation on humane treatment of animals. The selected rats were randomly divided into three groups: I – study in the Barnes maze; II – study in the Open Field test; and III – study of glutathione reductase activity in a solution of rat erythrocyte’s hemolysate. In each of these groups, three groups were formed: Experimental – exposed to a shock wave with an overpressure of 26.4 ± 3.6 kPa; the Sham – subjected only to halothane and fixation; and the Intact group. Results. Showed a disturbance in the emotional status and the oxidative stress development in rats with blast-induced trauma. The time of experimental rats freezing in the Barnes maze increased by 69 % (p < 0.01) on 28th day compared to 1st day, indicating the development of fear and negative emotionality. Changes in the defecation acts number indicate the development of anxiety in the acute period (1–3 days), followed by a depression-like state. The glutathione reductase activity in experimental rats was significantly higher compared to sham and intact rats, but gradually decreased inside in the experimental group. The results of the correlation analysis indicate the presence of weak relationships between the freezing time and the glutathione reductase activity. The positive relationship of a strong degree was found between the number of defecation acts and glutathione reductase on 1st day and a negative relationship of a strong degree was found on 7th day. Conclusions. We suppose that oxidative stress is a link, but not the leading one, in the pathogenesis of emotional disturbance in rats with blast-induced brain injury.