Changing of cortisol and its associated indices in the serum of patients with traumatic brain injury / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the changing rule and clinical significance of the abnormal cortical secretion resulted from traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods The serums from 55 TBI patients and 13 normal persons were collected to measure the level of secreting total cortisol (Cor) , adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and corticosteroid-binding-globulin (CBG) by using radioimmunoactive assay and chemiluminescent immunometric assay. In the meantime, the free cortisol (FC) and free cortisol index (CI) were calculated by using Coolen formula. Results CBG maintained stable, while Cor and other hormones were increased significantly with the severity of TBI. Surgical operation could release the stress partially without disturbing the secretion of hormone. The more quickly the serum hormone decreased, the better prognosis the patients would have. The lower level of Cot could result in poorer prognosis. Conclusions TBI can result in a higher level of Cor as well as other hormones in the serum. The prognosis is poor in patients with a persistent high or low level of Cor. It should be cautious to supply large volume of cortisol at the early phase of TBI.