Neuroprotective Effect of Cholecalciferol on Acute Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors:   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, State University of Medical and Applied sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, Nigeria., Ikemefuna Ozor, Ignatius ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu, Nigeria.,   Department of Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria, Chiamaka Ebuoh, Maryann ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, State University of Medical and Applied sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, Nigeria.,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu, Nigeria., Ovie Ogbo, F. ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, State University of Medical and Applied sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, Nigeria., Ifebuchechukwu Ugwu, Valentine ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, State University of Medical and Applied sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, Nigeria.,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu, Nigeria., Onyedikachukwu Precious Okpala, ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, State University of Medical and Applied sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Published: December 2024

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from external mechanical forces causing temporary or permanent impairments in cognitive, physical, and psychosocial functions. Cholecalciferol, a hormone with secosteroidal, neuroactive, and neurosteroidal properties, has demonstrated potential neuroprotective effects, including axon regeneration, increased axonal diameter, and improved sensory responses to metabolic stimulation. This study evaluated the histological changes in the prefrontal cortex of TBI-induced Wistar rats treated with Cholecalciferol. Forty-two Wistar rats (180–230g) were randomized into four groups, each with 12 rats, further divided into sub-groups treated or untreated with Cholecalciferol. TBI was induced using weights of 100g, 200g, and 300g. Brain tissues were harvested at 6 hours, 24 hours, and 3 days post-injury and processed using paraffin embedding and Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. Histological analyses showed normal neuronal distribution in the control group, while untreated TBI groups exhibited perinuclear halo and degenerative plaques. Cholecalciferol-treated sub-groups demonstrated varying degrees of glial cell activation, post-traumatic regeneration, and reduced tissue scarring, with significant improvements observed at higher injury severities. Findings suggest that Cholecalciferol promotes histological recovery in TBI by enhancing neuronal integrity and regeneration.

Keywords: Cholecalciferol, Traumatic brain injury, Neuroprotection, Histology