Alterations of Alpl and bFGF levels in peripheral tissues after mild traumatic brain injury: implications on sexual differences.

Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a significant health issue affecting people of all ages and socioeconomic groups. Its clinical spectrum alters from transient mild symptoms to disabling problems. The molecular mechanisms that affect the vital functions and treatment after mTBI have yet to be fully understood. This study aims to investigate the expression levels of Alkaline Phosphatase (Alpl) and Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) in peripheral organs after mTBI in traumatic mice models and observe the differences between acute and chronic phases.

Methods and results: A total of 30 animals were randomly divided into three groups, with equal numbers of males and females in each group. mTBI was induced in mice utilizing the Marmarau trauma model. Alpl and bFGF expression levels in the acute and chronic phases were determined via Real-Time PCR in liver, kidney, bone, and muscle tissues. Alpl and bFGF gene expressions in the acute phase after mTBI increased significantly. In the kidney, Alpl and bFGF levels increased in the acute phase in females, but bFGF significantly decreased in males. In muscle tissue bFGF levels significantly increased in males in the chronic phase. Our study showed significant differences between sexes in response to mTBI.

Conclusions: Our study investigated the role of Alpl and bFGF genes in peripheral tissues in acute and chronic phases after mTBI for the first time in the literature. The data obtained will guide understanding the secondary events and the consequences of the disease in mTBI and taking the necessary treatment and measures.