Formation of microparticles in the injured brain of patients with severe isolated traumatic brain injury

The potential pathophysiological role of circulating microparticles (MPs) has been recognized in various conditions, such as cardiovascular and thrombotic diseases. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a complex pathophysiology that involves coagulopathy and inflammation. We investigated endothelial-, platelet-, and leukocyte-derived microparticles (EMPs, PMPs, and LMPs, respectively) in 16 patients with severe isolated TBI. Arterial and cerebrovenous samples were taken repeatedly, during 1-72 h after injury. Subpopulations of MPs, exposing tissue factor (TF) and P-selection, were also studied. MP counts in cerebrovenous samples, irrespective of cellular origin, were higher in TBI cases, compared to healthy controls (peak levels of EMPs were approximately 7 times higher, PMPs 1.4 times higher, and LMPs 2 times higher, respectively; p