Comparative study of brain damage and oxidative stress using two animal models of the shaken baby syndrome.

The objective was compare the morphological damages in brain and to evaluate the participation of oxidative stress, using two animal models of shaken baby syndrome (SBS). Five-day-old Wistar rats were used to develop two models of SBS as follows: Gyrotwister (GT) group was subjected to low intensity, high duration rotating movements and Ratshaker (RS) group made to undergo high intensity, low duration anteroposterior movements. Both groups presented respiratory distress, weight loss and shorter stature compared with the control group. In addition, involuntary movements occurred in both experimental models. Hemorrhage was observed in 10 % of the GT group and in 40 % of the RS group. This last group experienced lesser weight gain at 30 days. Glutathione decreased by 25.7 % (GT) and 59.96 (RT). Cell data analysis revealed the presence of crenate and pyknotic cells, characterized by apparent absence of nucleus and nucleolus as well as vacuolation in the GT group. In the RS group, there were a high number of angular, pyknotic and shrunken cells, and a lot of vacuolization. The severity of the brain damage can be related to the magnitude of biochemical modifications, specifically, those related to the production of reactive oxygen or nitrogen species, oxidative stress, oxidative damage.