Characterization of Plasma Magnesium Concentration and Oxidative Stress Following Graded Traumatic Brain Injury in Humans

ABSTRACT Plasma magnesium, calcium, and oxidative status were investigated in 31 male casualties with traumatic brain injury (TBI) during a 7-day posttraumatic period. The study group consisted of eight patients with mild closed head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score [GCS] of 13–15), 10 patients with extensive penetrating head injury (GCS 4–6), and 13 patients with blast injuries but without direct head trauma. The latter group was included since previous experimental and clinical data have confirmed the development of indirect brain trauma in patients with blast injuries. Patients with multiple injuries were not included. Significant declines in plasma divalent cations were found in GCS 4–6 patients immediately after TBI and persisting for the entire 7-day study period. Similar changes in magnesium, but not calcium, were present in the GCS 13–15 and the blast injury groups, but only up until day 3 after injury. Alterations in lipid peroxidation products and Superoxide anions were also observed following T...