1 research outputs found
Mass Spectrometric Imaging of Ceramide Biomarkers Tracks Therapeutic Response in Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic
brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem
and the leading cause of death in children and young adults. It also
contributes to a substantial number of cases of permanent disability.
As lipids make up over 50% of the brain mass and play a key role in
both membrane structure and cell signaling, their profile is of particular
interest. In this study, we show that advanced mass spectrometry imaging
(MSI) has sufficient technical accuracy and reproducibility to demonstrate
the anatomical distribution of 50 μm diameter microdomains that
show changes in brain ceramide levels in a rat model of controlled
cortical impact (CCI) 3 days post injury with and without treatment.
Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats received one strike and were
euthanized 3 days post trauma. Brain MS images showed increase in
ceramides in CCI animals compared to control as well as significant
reduction in ceramides in CCI treated animals, demonstrating therapeutic
effect of a peptide agonist. The data also suggests the presence of
diffuse changes outside of the injured area. These results shed light
on the extent of biochemical and structural changes in the brain after
traumatic brain injury and could help to evaluate the efficacy of
treatments