Analysis of the lipid plasma spectrum in patients with long-term consequences after traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Background. Lipids are an integral part of the general metabolism involved in the processes of adaptation and regulation of many neuron functions, including cell membrane regulation. We have assessed the lipid plasma spectrum and peculiarities of lipid metabolism in patients with long-term consequences after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Materials and methods. Seventy-nine patients with long-term consequences after TBI (mean age ± standard deviation 43.27 ± 16.91 years) and thirty age-matched healthy controls (29.60 ± 4.73 years) were examined for total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Ch-HDL), triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Ch-LDL) and very low-density lipoproteins plasma levels using spectrophotometry. Results. This study showed that in the general patient group, there was a significant increase in total cholesterol by 23 % compared to controls, together with Ch-LDL by 54 % associated with a decrease in Ch-HDL by 16.2 % (p < 0.05). Analysis of lipid plasma spectrum data depending on the injury type has revealed more severe changes in the lipid metabolism in patients with a history of brain contusion compared to the persons from group 1, however, without statistically significant differences between these groups (p > 0.05, t = 0.64). Our study showed that in the patients with long-term consequences after TBI, the most significant changes in lipid metabolism and lipid plasma spectrum were observed in a disease duration of more than 15 years (p < 0.05). Conclusions. The patients with long-term consequences after TBI showed higher levels of total cholesterol and Ch-LDL with a decrease in Ch-HDL indicating lipid metabolism disorders that might play an important role in the pathogenesis of these consequences and/or increasing risks of atherosclerosis in this cohort.