Morphological Changes in the Somatosensory Cortex of Guinea Pigs Following Simulation of the Abdominal Surgery Wound

The aim of research was to study the effect of the abdominal wall injuries and ascorbic acid (AA) on morphometric parameters of the somatosensory cortex. Material and methods. The density of the arrangement of neurons, sizes of nuclei and perikaryons of neurons, density and area of blood vessels in the somatosensory cortex were detected in guinea pigs after simulation of the abdominal wall injury. The process was accompanied by the parenteral administration of AA. Results. Simulation of the abdominal wall injury in guinea pigs resulted in a decreased thickness of the somatosensory cortex and a decreased density of neurons arrangement (on average by 32-37%). In 7 days after the operation, the exposed animals demonstrated a decreased density of blood vessels by 14–18%, the size of blood vessels also decreased by 27–46%; the fact evidencing a deterioration in the blood supply to the somatosensory cortex in the postoperative period. The effect of AA was mainly manifested in the increased size of the nuclei and perikaryons of neurons (by 20–40%); this evidencing activation of their metabolic activity. The most significant changes in the studied parameters were observed in the outer granular and, to a lesser extent, in the pyramidal and inner granular cytoarchitectonic layers. Conclusion. Experimental abdominal surgical interventions resulted in a decreased size and density of blood vessels in the somatosensory cortex. The results obtained can be used to develop methods of postoperative rehabilitation with the inclusion of drugs that improve blood supply and metabolism of the brain neurons. AA potentiates some of the effects of surgery on the somatosensory cortex; currently, there are no sufficient data to recommend it as a neuroprotective agent in the postoperative period.