Trauma biochemical changes

In view of the advances in nnderstanding the canse of death in cells, it is somewhat ironic that we understand so little as to what causes death in otherwise healthy humans as they become old (i.e. death due to senescence). In fact, in the UK it is now not permissible to write old age or a similar phrase on a death certificate. The most likely cause of death in humans under most circumstances, is, as indicated above, failure of the vital centres in the brain, e.g. the cells in the brain stem. A suggestion for the cause of death in old age is the progressive decrease in cardiac output with age. Nonetheless, under normal conditions, even a lower cardiac output will not compromise the function of the brain. However, a mild trauma, mild stress or mild infection requires an increase in cardiac output (to support the biochemical changes described in Chapter 18). If this required increase can no longer be attained by the heart in an elderly person, the provision of blood to the brain could be insufficient for this organ. The part of the brain that maintains the essential functions of the body, that is, the brain stem, may be the first to be affected, so that the control of the contraction of the heart or breathing... 

Symptomology induced after bTBI is likely dependent on secondary effects of blast trauma. After exposme to blast overpressure, extensive tissue damage initiates nemo-inflammation and neuronal cell loss. To combat such effects, biochemical processes are activated to mitigate neuroinflammation, promote cell survival, and enhance proliferation. Because of their anatomic locations, the medial temporal lobe structures are extremely vulnerable to impacts of blast overpressure. Therefore, studies of histological and biochemical changes in these areas will help to reveal mechanisms underlying the prolonged... 

Table 18.1 Biochemical and physiological changes during the ebb and flow phases of trauma...

Figure 18.5 A summary of the biochemical, physiological and immunological changes brought about by cytokines in response to trauma. Cytokines can be produced in trauma from macrophages, lymphocytes, endothelial cells in the tissue that is damaged, and also by Kupffer cells if the liver is damaged. IL-1, IL-6 - interleukins 1 and 6 TNF - tumour necrosis factor, IFN - interferon.

The low Tj syndrome observed after major trauma may also be related to changes in selenium status affecting the activity of iodothyronine deiodinase, with selenium supplements reversing most of the biochemical abnormalities found in thyroid function tests. ... 

On taking a sample from the organism, changes occur in pH, ionic charge, ionic composition, temperature, and enzyme activity. Furthermore in response to this trauma a number of biochemical reactions are triggered. 

---